Horror injury to North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben brings AFL to a standstill

The MCG has been shocked into silence after a horrific injury saw a North Melbourne player stretchered off to a standing ovation.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Charlie Comben of the Kangaroos is attended to by trainers during the round seven AFL match between Melbourne Demons and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 29, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The AFL world is still reeling after a horrific leg break for North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben in the early stages of their Round 7 match against Melbourne at the MCG.

The injury, which was so graphic that broadcasters opted against showing replays, could reportedly be heard around the ground according to spectators on social media.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Comben went up for a contest into North Melbourne’s forward 50 early in the first quarter, and landed over the top of his left leg in such a violent fashion that it could be heard on the broadcast.

Play stopped for several minutes with players from both teams running over to offer their support, with Melbourne’s Jake Lever and Steven May visibly disturbed by what they had just witnessed.

Charlie Comben is attended to after suffering a broken leg. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Kangaroos youngster was in excruciating pain. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Social media was aghast at the injury, which is the latest in a series of serious fractures for the 21-year-old from Gippsland in Victoria’s east.

Horrific injury, looks like an ankle break. New straight away 👀#AFLDeesNorthpic.twitter.com/1oO9YJSq1t

— Bwzr_2k (@Bwzr2k) April 29, 2023

That broken leg happened right in front of us, you could hear it. Poor bastard #AFLDeesNorth

— Little Podge (@little_podge) April 29, 2023

Poor guy. He has truly been their bright light this year. All the best with recovery, Charlie #AFLDeesNorth

— Rebecca Turner 🌈 (@turnerebecca) April 29, 2023

Really feel for @charlie_comben. Some athletes just can’t take a trick with injury. Another long absence ahead after finally stringing some games together

— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻‍💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) April 29, 2023

It would compound a rough start for North Melbourne, who went into the first break with a 44-point deficit to a rampant Demons outfit led by the duo of Clayton Oliver with 16 disposals and Bayley Fritsch’s three goals.

The deficit marks one of North Melbourne’s worst-ever first quarters, and with Comben one of the Kangaroos’ brightest young prospects, the night is set to get worse for the men in white and royal blue.

Comben has been desperately unlucky in his time with the Kangaroos, only managing to play nine games in four years after being taken with the 31st pick in the 2019 draft.

He suffered a back fracture in 2020, a tibial stress fracture in 2021 on return, then breaking his collarbone towards the back end of the 2021 season.

Comben’s injury compounded a horror night for the Kangroos, who were handed a 90-point loss by the Demons at the MCG.

Originally published as Horror injury to North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben brings AFL to a standstill