North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel has been ruled out of the Roos' match against Geelong after sustaining a cheek injury.
The fast-paced fixture between the Kangaroos and Cats at Marvel Stadium was must-watch football in the first half, but in the dying minutes of the second quarter, Sheezel left the ground after colliding with Geelong's Oisin Mullin.
Sheezel and Mullin clashed heads in a centre stoppage with the former immediately leaving the ground, understanding he had copped more than an average knock to the head.
The 21-year-old's cheek immediately blew up, swelling quickly as North Melbourne's medical team treated Sheezel on the bench.
It was announced at halftime that Sheezel would not return for the rest of the game and would now be in doubt for the Kangaroos' - likely - last game of the season next weekend against Sydney at the SCG.
Sheezel has only missed two out of his possible 91 games since making his debut in 2023.
North Melbourne will sorely miss Sheezel as it battles a rampaging Geelong to keep its faint hopes of a Wildcard Round berth alive.
The Roos started the match in blistering fashion, kicking 44-6 in the first quarter.
However, as the Cats so often do, Chris Scott's men responded in kind to take the lead at halftime 57-64 in an end-to-end game.
