Dolphin Jeremy Marshall-King rocked by all time falcon

A sickening thud was heard around the ground after Ben Hunt’s attempted clearing kick slammed straight into the Dolphin.

Dolphin Jeremy Marshall-King caught by all-time falcon. Photos: Fox Sports

The Dolphins marched to a dominant victory over St George Illawarra on Sunday, but a shocking incident in the first half will grab at least some of the headlines.

The home side was already leading 10-0 in the 20th minute when the ball was moved to Dragons skipper Ben Hunt on the last tackle.

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As Hunt prepared to kick from his own 30m line, Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King raced up to attempt a charge down.

The 28-year-old achieved his goal but in a highly unconventional way, with the ball slamming directly into the side of his head from less than two metres away.

As footy fans know all too well, anytime a ball hits someone in the head across the codes it’s known as a “falcon”, named after former South Sydney star Mario Fenech.

Commentator Andrew Voss was quickly calling this one of the best “falcons” ever seen.

“Oh there’s a falcon,” Voss yelled on Fox Footy after the loud, sickening thud could be heard around the ground.

Ben Hunt takes the kick as Marshall-King rushes towards him.

“Take a pick from the top shelf. The independent doctor might have to react to that one.

“I think a replay may show one of the great falcons of all-time.

“You’re entitled to be seeing stars after that.”

Hunt quickly realised what had happened and is seen trying to help the dazed Dolphin.

As the play continued on the field, the commentators were still coming to terms with the incident.

“How’d he get up?” Steve Roach asked.

“Oh my goodness. My goodness,” Voss said. “Well, we’ve got some highlights to show the Americans before (the next Las Vegas matches) next year.

The call connected directly with the side of Marshall-King’s head from close range.

“No helmets, no pads.

“I mean we’ve seen some beauties over the years and I say this with respect, but this … I don’t know what to say. Wow.

“Lucky your head is well attached to your neck. His head could’ve ended up on the plate of someone having their dinner in the league’s club there, it was hit that hard.

“That is a mighty blow.”

Not surprisingly, Marshall-King left the field for a head knock assessment but was cleared to return to the field.

Hunt immediately tried to assist the dazed star.

He would go on to score a try in the 68th minute in the Dolphins’ 38-0 rout for their first victory of the new season.

There was a mixed reaction to the savage blow on social media.

“Fingers crossed, Jeremy Marshall-King is OK after one of the biggest falcons we’ve seen in ages,” Fox League wrote in a caption of the incident on X.

“Fingers crossed for him. Also cheers to Ben Hunt for going to protect him from possibly falling on his hand,” was one comment.

“Best falcon I’ve seen in a long time lol looks to be OK from it luckily but it was a classic,” wrote another.

“What a bell ringer. Hope he is OK,” added a third.

Originally published as Dolphin Jeremy Marshall-King rocked by all time falcon