North Melbourne forward Ben Brown was concussed and sent to hospital following a tackle from Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy, although Brown says he has nothing but sympathy for the Magpie.
Brown was knocked out in a sling tackle towards the end of the second quarter of his side's loss to the Pies on Saturday night, and had to be taken from the field on a stretcher.
Ben Brown is being taken off on the stretcher following this tackle from Brodie Grundy. #AFLNorthPies pic.twitter.com/rLs7khDITw
— AFL (@AFL) August 5, 2017
After spending the night at the Epworth hospital, Brown returned to the club's headquarters today, and told the media he has no ill will towards Grundy.
"He sent me a text and that was really nice to see from him,โ Brown told reporters at Arden Street on Monday.
โAnd I think he was really remorseful afterwards.
"I've seen a little bit of the vision of what he had to say (on Channel 7 after the game) and I kind of feel bad for him as well because these kind of decisions are really split-second ones in games, so I hope he's feeling all right as well.
"I've looked back at it and it didn't look like Brodie was trying to hurt me in any way. It's always difficult when you're in those situations because we are taught to tackle to pin the arms and to try to get a guy to ground.
"So I can appreciate that it was a really split-second decision and I obviously don't have any hard feelings towards him."
Brown said he had a headache for most of Sunday, but told the media he was "feeling really good".
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley after the match said Grundy executed "the perfect tackle", although Brown didn't quite agree with his comments.
โI think people say what they want to say about it, I donโt think anyone ย wants anyone to get injured, and no one whether itโs coaches or players want to see guys go out with concussion,โ Brown said.
โThatโs the main thing we want to get out of that.โ
