Scary moment Demons star is knocked out cold by opponent's shocking move
Share this @internewscast.com

A North Melbourne ruckman is facing a potential ban after making high contact on Melbourne star Tom Sparrow, which knocked the Demons midfielder out cold.

The AFL’s concussion protocols will now be in the spotlight once again, as Melbourne ended a five-game losing streak with an 18.11 (119) to 12.11 (83) victory at the MCG on Sunday.

Sparrow had recovered the ball off the top of a hit-out by Xerri. But as he moved to dispose of the footy to a teammate, the North Melbourne ruckman raised his forearm and caught Sparrow in the head.

His Melbourne team-mates were furious about Xerri’s act, with captain Max Gawn immediately turning to remonstrate with Xerri, with a brawl ensuing.

‘Once I saw my team-mate down, I had to respond,’ Gawn told Fox Footy after the incident.

Tristan Xerri (No 38) is facing a potential ban after he appeared to strike Melbourne's Tom Sparrow in the face, knocking the Demon's star out

Tristan Xerri (No 38) is facing a potential ban after he appeared to strike Melbourne’s Tom Sparrow in the face, knocking the Demon’s star out

Concerning scenes unfolded as Sparrow fell lifelessly to the floor after the hit. Xerri (right) had also checked on the footy star to make sure he was OK

Concerning scenes unfolded as Sparrow fell lifelessly to the floor after the hit. Xerri (right) had also checked on the footy star to make sure he was OK

‘I thought it was high,’ he added.

‘I haven’t seen any vision of it since. Xerri, I know as a ruck, he’s following up [from a ruck contest] as hard as he can, and he’s the best in the comp at doing it, so there’s definitely an element of that.’

After the sickening collision, Sparrow remained on the field for some time, before being taken into the medical rooms on a stretcher.

Promisingly, the footy star did give a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was removed from the pitch.

Several stars from the footy world were critical of Xerri’s act, including Cameron Mooney.

‘That’s reckless… he’ll get some time [suspension] for that,’ Mooney said.

I don’t think it was anything untoward for it, but he’s got it wrong.

‘If the ball’s there, your natural reaction is to flick an arm or hand at it.

A large brawl ensued after the high shot on Sparrow, with Max Gawn stating he felt he had to stand up for his injured team-mate

A large brawl ensued after the high shot on Sparrow, with Max Gawn stating he felt he had to stand up for his injured team-mate

Commentators on Fox Footy described Xerri's high hit as 'reckless' with the AFL now set to review the incident

Commentators on Fox Footy described Xerri’s high hit as ‘reckless’ with the AFL now set to review the incident

‘I think that’s what he’s tried to do but he’s just missed it and got him high.’

North boss Alastair Clarkson

defended Xerri’s actions following the match.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ he said.

‘The collision comes down from a ruck contest and it’s pretty hard to go for, it’s hard to compete in the ruck against big Max to compete in a tackle within a split second.

‘It’s unfortunate for Tom but injuries happen… We had LD [Luke Davies-Uniacke] knocked out last week with an elbow to the head.

‘Just swings and roundabouts. When it’s a competitive game of footy and there’s a lot of numbers around the ball, sometimes accidents like that are going to happen.’

Clarkson then admitted that he hadn’t seen Xerri after the match, but added: ‘Our view is that there was every intent on Big X trying to lay the tackle and just didn’t have enough time to lay it in the correct manner.’

North boss, Alastair Clarkson, stood by his ruckman, stating he had 'very little time to prepare for the collision'

North boss, Alastair Clarkson, stood by his ruckman, stating he had ‘very little time to prepare for the collision’

Clarkson re-emphasised that Xerri had ‘very little time’ to prepare for the collision.

‘We are all disappointed when any player gets injured, but it’s the game. There is always unfortunate things like that that happen and it’s just the result of 18 bulls going at each other.

While the incident marred the win for Melbourne, in-form veteran Jake Melksham kicked an equal career-best five goals to seal the 36-point win.

Melksham and Christian Petracca (31 disposals, one goal) were both standouts in what was Melbourne’s first win since beating Sydney at the MCG on May 25.

The Demons (6-11) now sit 13th, while North (4-12-1) are third-from-bottom.

Melksham also looked in trouble after high contact from North defender Wil Dawson left him nursing a sore head and shoulder before half-time.

But the 33-year-old passed a head injury assessment and added four goals after half-time as the Demons resisted a Cam Zurhaar-led surge by the Kangaroos.

Zurhaar kicked three goals in the third quarter, dragging the Kangaroos within three points before Melbourne steadied and finished full of running.

Jake Melksham kicked an equal career-best five goals to seal the 36-point win at the MCG

Jake Melksham kicked an equal career-best five goals to seal the 36-point win at the MCG

Christian Salem (25 touches), Harvey Langford (24) and Clayton Oliver (21) were influential in a largely scrappy affair, while Bayley Fritsch kicked three goals.

The final margin made for a 95-point turnaround from the last time the teams met, when the Kangaroos were comprehensive winners in round two.

North were well-served by Colby McKercher (29 disposals), Harry Sheezel (29) and returning veteran Luke Parker (27).

Cooper Harvey, son of club legend Brent, kicked four goals and Jack Darling matched Zurhaar’s contribution with three.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Ibrox’s Empty Seats Reflect Growing Apathy Toward Martin’s Leadership

There comes a time when anger gives way to apathy and disillusionment…

Chelsea 1-0 Benfica: Jose Mourinho’s comeback overshadowed by defeat, as yet another Blues player gets sent off in a lackluster Champions League win

Just past the hour mark, with their team struggling slightly, Chelsea supporters…

Uncovered: The Tension Between Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca and Fabian Hurzeler, Influenced by Italian Allegiances, Brighton Manager’s Sideline Behavior, and a Marc Cucurella Trick

It was an otherwise typical Thursday at Cobham as a few reporters…

Alarming Videos of Notorious Football Icon Warwick Capper Spark Worry Among Fans

Footy fans are becoming deeply concerned about the health of AFL legend…

Florian Wirtz cautioned about significant Karim Benzema threat amid allegations of Liverpool transfer error

Florian Wirtz knew his Liverpool struggles were a possibility when he joined…

“Playing Golf for My Country After Losing Three Limbs: The Inspiring Tournament for Wounded Veterans Outshines Ryder Cup’s Rude Hecklers”

The recent excitement of the Ryder Cup was still lingering when another…

Manager Faces Two Heartbreaking Losses in Just Six Days: Coach Who Launched Career of 21-Year-Old Former Arsenal Prospect, Tragically Killed During Match, is Also the Brother of Late Ex-Liverpool Coach Who Recently Passed Away

The tragic death of 21-year-old Chichester City forward Billy Vigar has rocked…

What Rory McIlroy Shared with His Wife Erica Moments After Europe’s Triumph at the Ryder Cup Despite Unruly American Fans

Rory McIlroy had just a simple message for his long-enduring wife, Erica…

Matthijs De Ligt’s separated wife, a model, reaffirms her commitment to spiritual practices that reportedly led to their split, only a year after marrying the Manchester United star.

Matthijs de Ligt’s estranged wife has deepened her commitment to a spiritual…