A dark cloud has been cast over the historic return of State Of Origin football after Carlton star Jacob Weitering was taken to hospital for scans following a heavy knock in the opening term of Saturday night’s game.
Weitering was flattened during a marking contest late in the first term at Perth Stadium with the AFL revealing shortly afterwards that the Victorian defender was being checked for shoulder and rib injuries.
Jacob Weitering was seriously injured in this fall in the state of origin match in Perth.Credit: Getty Images
He had flown high to spoil Western Australian forward Mitch Georgiades but landed on his back. As he did, Georgiades then came down heavily across his head, chest and shoulders.
Weitering did not move and a hush spread across the parochial home crowd.
Play was stopped as trainers attended a prostrate Weitering. A stretcher was then brought out on a cart to carry him from the ground.
The Blues defender was placed in a neck brace, but gave a thumbs up as he was taken to the rooms. He was then transported to hospital.
Jacob Weitering is taken off on a stretcher.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
It was a moment that many fans had feared, losing one of their club’s biggest stars to injury in a game that was not being played for four points during the home-and-away season.
Many believe a serious knee injury to Hawthorn’s Tony Hall, brought down by Hawks teammate Andy Collins at the MCG in 1989, lead to the demise of State of Origin football.
More to come
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