Fremantle’s AFLW clash against Sydney was stopped for nearly 10 minutes following a horrific head clash that resulted in a Swans defender being carried from the field on a stretcher.
The game at Cockburn ARC Oval had just over two minutes remaining when Sydney’s Caitlin Reid thought she had marked a ball in her defensive goal square.
But the umpire called play on because the ball hadn’t travelled 15m and Dockers veteran Hayley Miller charged at the Swan to lay a tackle.
Reid didn’t see Miller until the last moment and as she attempted to evade the tackle, Miller’s forehead crashed into her face. Miller immediately collapsed to the ground as medical staff surged to her assistance.
The game was quickly stopped amid concern for her welfare and it took almost 10 minutes for trainers to feel comfortable about putting her on the stretcher so she could leave the field.
Both coaches made their way down to the ground and spoke to their players in huddles next to the boundary line to provide messaging.
Reid was holding her left cheek bone as she was carried from the field. Players from both teams checked on her as he was being carried off.
Miller was assessed on the field but was allowed to continue playing.
Sydney are leading by three points at quarter time. The Dockers’ season is already over because even a win cannot lift them into the top eight.
The Swans will make the finals but can lose their right to host an elimination final next week if the Dockers win the game.
The match is also Emma O’Driscoll’s 75th AFLW game and her brothers Nathan and Aiden were among the family cheering for her at the game.
Ash Brazill is playing her final match after announcing her retirement.
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