Hawkesdale-Macarthur forward Ash Caruana is recovering after sustaining a serious neck injury that forced the club’s senior match to be abandoned at three-quarter time.
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The Eagles forward received two head-high bumps in a matter of minutes just before the three-quarter time siren and could not be moved.
Caruana laid in the wet and mud for more than one hour as officials waited for an ambulance to arrive.
Trainers and a retired spinal specialist who was in the crowd at the Glenthompson Recreation Reserve cared for him.
The 26-year-old, who is in his first season with the club, said at times he feared the worst.
"There was definitely some scary thoughts going through my head,” Caruana said.
“It is not a good feeling when you hear your neck make a loud crunch sound on the impact and then get pins and needles feeling going through my neck and arm.
“I was waiting a bit over an hour flat on my back and not moving. Then the ambulance eventually arrived.”
Caruana was transported to the Hamilton Base Hospital and is recovering.
He said he was able to move around, though he is set to miss up to a month of football.
“I am stiff and sore,” he said.
“I have strained and possibly torn ligaments in my neck and shoulder.
“But scans were all clear from any serious fractures in the neck and spine. Doctors said it’s just going to be a matter of time and rest. And will probably need physio treatment.”
The round nine Mininera and District Football League match was declared a draw because scores were even at the time of the injury.
Hawkesdale-Macarthur coach Lachie Reichman said he was seriously concerned for Caruana and felt abandoning the game was the only option.
"It was a bit worrying," Reichman said.
"And once we were clear that he wasn’t going to be moved for precautionary measures, then we knew the game was to be abandoned.
"It was a no-brainer. A player’s health is more important than the four points.
"And it was well and truly dark once Ash left the ground, so no other options. And we wouldn’t risk moving him after being advised not to.”
Reichman said an ambulance had already attended the ground on the day after a Hawkesdale-Macarthur player fractured and dislocated his wrist during the reserves match.
Ambulance Victoria did not provide a comment before deadline.
