Updated ,first published
Collingwood defender Billy Frampton has copped a three-match ban for a crude tackle that left Melbourne’s Brody Mihocek with a fractured neck that required surgery.
Match review officer Michael Christian ruled Frampton’s actions on his former Magpies teammate during the second term of Monday’s King’s Birthday clash at the MCG to be careless and high, with severe impact.
Melbourne earlier confirmed that Mihocek had surgery overnight on his neck, but said the power forward had since been out of his hospital bed and was walking.
“You never want to see an incident in our game, like what we saw with Brody on Monday,” the Demons’ general manager of football Alan Richardson said.
“Brody is in the very best of care and was able to undergo surgery last night, which, thankfully, went as planned.
“Our primary focus right now is supporting Brody, his partner Polly and their family through his recovery, while ensuring his return to full health.”
Collingwood will decide on Wednesday morning whether they will appeal Frampton’s ban at the AFL tribunal.
It has echoes of an incident during the 2023 finals series in which Magpies defender Brayden Maynard successfully appealed a three-game ban for a high bump that left Angus Brayshaw with career-ending concussion.
Mihocek, 33, temporarily lost feeling in some of his limbs after being knocked out when the top of his head was accidentally driven into the ground in the Frampton tackle.
Mihocek ducked his head to evade Frampton before slipping, and then his head appeared to strike Frampton’s knee before the pair went to ground. Frampton won a free kick.
But Christian found that the Collingwood defender had engaged in rough conduct and had breached his duty of care.
Captain Max Gawn discussed Mihocek’s condition on morning radio before the Demons’ announcement of Mihocek’s surgery.
“There was slightly more positive news that he had feeling in all of his limbs, which is nice, but they still weren’t confident enough to tell us the exact reasoning for why he’s still in hospital,” Gawn said on Triple M’s Mick in the Morning.
“Watching a guy take six or seven minutes to get on a stretcher, it certainly does worry you.”
A hush fell over the MCG crowd of 88,019 people as the game was held up for eight minutes while Melbourne’s medics attended Mihocek during the second quarter.
He was carefully loaded onto a motorised stretcher and taken from the ground before being transported to The Alfred hospital. Polly accompanied him.
Leading football medic Dr Peter Larkins praised the on-field response to Mihocek’s injury.
“The manner in which Brody Mihocek was transported from MCG after his head/neck injury highlights the specialised care and training given to AFL medical staff – well done to both clubs,” Larkins posted on X.
It was Mihocek’s first game against his former side. Players from both teams went over to wish the big forward well before he was taken from the ground.
He was able to look up at his close friend and premiership teammate Jack Crisp and smile before giving him a thumbs-up.
He later asked to listen to the rest of the classic King’s Birthday clash on radio while sitting up in his hospital bed.
Melbourne coach Steven King said on Monday night the Demons’ playing group would give Mihocek some time and space before considering visiting him in hospital.
“It didn’t look great and when you see a player go down, and when its issues around the head, neck, that’s serious,” King said after Melbourne’s eight-point victory.
If the suspension stands, it leaves the Magpies severely depleted in defence.
Captain Darcy Moore is still battling a hamstring issue, while Maynard twice dislocated his shoulder against Melbourne and faces several weeks on the sidelines.
Maynard hurt his shoulder a second time after tripping over the outstretched leg of dynamic Melbourne midfielder Kysaiah Pickett.
Pickett was fined $2000 – if he agrees to an early plea – by the MRO for the action.
The Magpies have a bye next week, followed by home games at the MCG against Port Adelaide and Richmond.
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Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.
Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.