AFL Geelong v Collingwood: Jeremy Howe suffers sickening injury as a result of a mid-air collision, Tom Stewart subbed out

An emotional Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has spoken of Jeremy Howe’s bravery after a sickening break to his forearm before admitting injuries were a horrible part of the game.

Jeremy Howe of the Magpies leaves the field on a stretcher during the 2023 AFL Round 01 match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Collingwood looks set to be without high-flying defender Jeremy Howe for months after he snapped his forearm as the result of a sickening mid-air collision during his side’s season-opener against Geelong.

Howe collided with Cats small forward Tyson Stengle in the opening minutes of the third quarter and was visibly distressed as he was helped from the field on a stretcher before being taken by ambulance to hospital for scans.

Stengle had been running back with the flight of the ball when Howe leapt high over the top of him to spoil the ball, before landing heavily on his left arm and snapping it in two.

Collingwood captain Darcy Moore was quite distressed about his teammate at the end of the game despite his team’s spirited comeback.

Jeremy Howe grimaces in pain as he is taken from the ground on a stretcher. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Oh mate, it’s heartbreaking. You go through so much together as AFL players and you

know, you ride the highs and the lows, really close, you see one of your close teammates in a state like that, it’s pretty distressing and it’s pretty messed up that we then have to just forget about and get on with the job,’’ he said on Channel 7.

“So yeah, I’m getting a bit emotional just talking about. But yeah, it’s horrible part

of our game. But you know, we expect nothing less from Jeremy. He’s just incredible teammate and puts his body on the line. I think that contest definitely showed that.”

Jeremy Howe collided with Tyson Stengle in a sickening mid-air collision.

Pictures: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said post-match that Howe may have an operation on his injury on Saturday after being taken to the Epworth Hospital for treatment.

“He’s in hospital unfortunately,” McRae said. “He’s got a fracture.

“He’s going to have a scan and potentially an operation tomorrow.”

Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe flies through the air. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Before crashing back to earth with devastating results. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Broadcasters chose not to show replays of the collision given how graphic the injury was.

“It’s a fracture in the arm obviously,” Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said at three-quarter time.

“So he will go off and have scans now and obviously be out for a little while but really disappointing for him.

“We hope he’s OK like everyone else at the moment.”

Stengle was sore but walked himself from the ground, before later returning to play out the game.

Tom Stewart was subbed out. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Tom Stewart has gone straight down to the rooms after this landing #AFLCatsPiespic.twitter.com/D2Ly1vGY8b

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 17, 2023

The injury is a huge blow for the Magpies as they push to improve on a preliminary final exit last year.

Howe missed only one game last season to finish fourth in the club’s best and fairest count.

He rated above average among key defenders for disposals, intercepts and intercept marks last season as well as elite for metres gained.

Ollie Henry goals and LOVES it! #AFLCatsPiespic.twitter.com/y6A22r6Nmw

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 17, 2023

Geelong was not spared from what was an injury-riddled match, with vice-captain Tom Stewart lasting just 21 minutes before being subbed out with a right knee injury.

Stewart slipped on the MCG turf and failed a fitness test at quarter-time after having the knee strapped.

Fellow Cats key defender Sam De Koning also hurt his right knee after slipping over while running backwards into space in the second quarter.

Darcy Moore runs Henry down!! pic.twitter.com/Ntq6Ix376c

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 17, 2023

De Koning spent more than 20 minutes on the bench and also had his right knee strapped before taking his place back on the field to start the third quarter.

Stengle and Tom Hawkins also limped from the field in the first half after slipping over, bringing the condition of the MCG turf into question.

Some 10,000 square metres of new turf — roughly half of the ground — was replaced in the past two weeks after being damaged by two Ed Sheeran concerts earlier this month.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said on Tuesday that the surface was looking “absolutely magnificent” and he was “very, very happy” with it.