St Kilda defender Dylan Roberton collapses during match against Geelong
UPDATE: ST KILDA defender Dylan Roberton is ‘feeling OK’ but is still in hospital after collapsing behind play in distressing scenes during the Saints’ loss to Geelong. WATCH THE INCIDENT
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ST KILDA defender Dylan Roberton was alert and eating last night as he was monitored by doctors at Geelong’s Epworth Hospital after collapsing on the field with an irregular heartbeat.
The Saints said this morning Roberton, 26, was still having tests but appeared to be recovering well from the fall which shook teammates during the Saints’ 47-point loss to the Cats.
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“Last conversation we had last night he was feeling OK, feeling alert, eating a meal,” football manager Simon Lethlean said on RSN 927.
“But obviously the vision was quite distressing and a serious incident.
“He’s having a number of tests and we’ll get and update this morning but we’re taking it quite seriously as you can imagine.”
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said last night he had never seen anything like Roberton’s shok collapse 30m off the ball.
“He’s at Epworth Geelong and from all reports he’s alert, he’s eating and so certainly for the family members that are home, from all reports he’s doing well,” Richardson said after the match.
“It was a bit of a shock (and) it shocked a few of his mates, but he’s doing well at the minute. I’ve never really seen anything like that. My thoughts immediately go towards the player.”
St Kilda’s club doctor updated players on Roberton’s health in the GMHBA Stadium rooms after the match.
Roberton is expected to be discharged on Monday although his immediate playing future is in doubt and he could require surgery.
Assistant coach Henry Playfair told Richardson during the match that players wanted an update.
“Henry Playfair let me know the backs were really anxious and just wanted to know about one of their mates,” Richardson said.
“So it was pretty important we got that information to them.”
Dylan Roberton has been helped from the ground after collapsing on the field.
— AFL (@AFL) April 15, 2018
He's being assessed by the doctors now.#AFLCatsSaints pic.twitter.com/Ud9FPQ1kwq
Here’s the vision of Roberton collapsing behind play... scary.#AFLCatsSaints pic.twitter.com/wgobvRoJgB
— David Zita (@DavidZita1) April 15, 2018
Roberton and wife Amy have three kids – Boston (5), Henry (4) and Pip (3). Richardson was unaware of any history of a heart problem for Roberton.
Roberton was jogging by himself on the edge of the centre square when he suddenly dropped to the ground.
Trainers and players huddled around Roberton and he was taken to hospital by ambulance after slowing walking from the field.
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“You look at the vision and think there’s been some sort of physical contact (but) there was no one even close to Robbo,” Richardson said.
“You try to get feedback reasonably quickly and there’s not a lot of answers coming back your way, particularly when he’s off to hospital.
“It was really comforting once we were able to get some feedback that he’s OK.”
Cats coach Chris Scott said his medicos were ready to assist had they been required.
“It’s not often you’re talking to your bench about getting our doctor out there for an opposition player,” Scott said.
“It looked terrible, and knowing Dylan personally, having coached him at Fremantle, adds another dimension to it.
“It was very concerning. I was surprised that he came off so quickly, because it looked ugly.”
Leading cardiologist Dr Ross Walker said this morning it is common for people to carry undiagnosed heart conditions for years.
“They can go for years without any manifestation and then something can bring it on,” Dr Walker told 3AW radio.
“It may be associated with some sort of toxin in their system, either legal or illegal, or it could just happen. They could have had a virus, a virus could have brought the thing out. So there are many different ways this could happen.”
Richardson said the Saints “were beaten pretty badly” as they slumped to 1-3.
“Their physicality and their pressure was just too much for us, and that’s disappointing,” Richardson said.
“Our ball use wasn’t great again. Probably 90 per cent of their score would’ve come off our turnover.
“We’ve got too many out of form, there’s no doubt about that. Players that I rate that have done some pretty good work at this level.”
St Kilda hosts GWS at Etihad Stadium on Saturday after drawing just 19,324 to last week’s home game against Adelaide.
That Dylan Roberton footage is actually quite terrifying. Hope he is ok.
— Daniel Harford (@HarfSerious) April 15, 2018
That is incredibly scary seeing Roberton collapse like that.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) April 15, 2018
HOPE DYLAN ROBERTON IS ALRIGHT. That's was scary ✨#Supercoach
— SuperCoach GURL (@supercoachgurl) April 15, 2018
Seriously hope Dylan Roberton is ok. That was very scary to see.#AFLCatsSaints
— Embiid’s Mask (@JustinDimieri) April 15, 2018
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