Collingwood coach Craig McRae has thrown his support behind forward Lachie Schultz following a confronting incident that has since seen the Magpies sharpshooter enter concussion protocols.

A fourth-quarter collision with Fremantle's Jordan Clark left Schultz lying on the Optus Stadium surface, with Schultz attempting to stand before falling to the ground again.

Schultz was eventually helped from the field and would sit out the remainder of the match due to the head knock, with the Collingwood forward of great concern for his coach and teammates.

"Fingers crossed Lachie's OK... My love and care for Lachie is paramount," McRae said post-game.

"His well-being is paramount. We want to protect our players. You don't like to see your players lying on the ground. You wish you could take that away.

"I just hope he's OK. I haven't had the chance to speak to him, I'm looking forward to getting out of here to make sure he's OK."

Collingwood had called for the stretcher and a stop in play as Schultz looked to stand, with the game containing as he gained medical treatment.

McRae said an "ideal" situation would've seen play brought to a halt to allow Schultz the time he needs before being brought from the field.

"We were all sort of just worried about his welfare and we called for the stretcher and the doctors were trying everything they can to just get Lachie OK, and he sort of just jumped to his feet because it's just the way he goes, he gets knocked down and he gets up at every contest, so we did what we could. But ideally you can stop the game," McRae said.

"I have played the game, a long time ago, and had a few concussions. You're not conscious. Lachie wanted to get up, maybe that's in his psyche and it shows his courage, but in an ideal world [he waits for a stretcher].

"We have the ultimate care for our players. This is a part of our game we'd love to not have. Lots of players in the past have had to live this. We're making changes to make our players safer and the environment safer for our players."

The AFL has since provided a statement on the incident in which play resumed while Schultz required medical treatment, with the league stating the match officials weren't aware of Schultz being on the ground.

The league confirmed play would have been stopped when Collingwood regained possession in the middle of the field, had umpires been made aware of the matter.

"The play can be stopped by the umpires, who are instructed to stop play as soon as they are aware there is an injured player in the vicinity of play. In last night's match the umpires did not see the injured player at the time, so play continued," the statement read.

"Upon review, if umpires were aware, play would have been stopped when (Nick) Daicos had possession in the middle of the ground."

The ailment is set to see Schultz sidelined for 12 days as part of the AFL's concussion protocols, meaning he will miss his side's Round 10 clash with Adelaide.

Should Schultz manage to exit concussion protocols in time, he will next be available for the club's Round 11 bout with North Melbourne.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Shall we talk about umpire competence?
    Shall we talk about a court case?

    There are 10 umpires on the ground โ€“ all, presumably โ€“ watching the ball and choosing not to see a player go down as a result of a head bumpโ€ฆโ€ฆ

    โ€ฆ. but then, they cannot โ€œseeโ€ interference in the Ruckโ€ฆ
    They cannot โ€œseeโ€ push in the backโ€ฆ.
    They cannot โ€œseeโ€ incorrect disposal (dropping the ball)
    They cannot โ€œseeโ€ holding the man

    They can โ€œseeโ€ Deliberate out of bounds (when the faeries tell them toโ€ฆ..)

    The โ€œaflโ€ cannot train umpires.
    They should hand the task over to the state leagues who all have a far better program, and better umpires as a result.

    Or would that stop the match result tampering?

  2. Correction โ€“ there are 10 umpires on the field and more โ€œofficialsโ€ in the stands watching screens, not to mention the โ€œreserve umpireโ€.

    The โ€œaflโ€ has no excuse, and no reason.

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