Chad Wingard ‘severs’ tongue in sickening injury as Hawks fall short

A Hawthorn player was subbed out of a game on Sunday and taken to hospital after suffering a truly sickening injury.

Chad Wingard severs his tongue

Hawthorn’s Chad Wingard might want to invest in a mouthguard.

The Hawks star was subbed out of Sunday’s game against GWS early in the third quarter after suffering a horrific injury following a tackle.

Watch every match of AFL Gather Round LIVE & ad-break free in play on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Wingard attempted to lay a tackle on a diving Giants player when his chin bounced off the back of his opponent.

The force sent Wingard’s head snapping back and in the act saw him bite into his own tongue.

He immediately came from the ground as blood was seen flowing from his mouth and his day was over with only three disposals to his name.

“He’s actually severed the tongue a fair bit … so they need to stitch that and he’s out for the game,” Mark Soderstrom explained on Seven.

Shaun Burgoyone responded: “From what I gather, he doesn’t wear a mouthguard. If you’re gonna sever your tongue, it means you’re biting your tongue, don’t you?”

But Brian Taylor added: “Let’s hope he hasn’t severed it. It’s just split, I think, maybe.”

Channel 7 journalist Mitch Cleary confirmed Wingard had been taken to hospital to have stitches put in his tongue.

Chad Wingard was subbed out after a needing some work done on his tongue following this incident.

📺 Watch #AFLGiantsHawks LIVE on ch. 503 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/c5Vwhmfd1e
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/mVOkSgzRI8
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/fJ3DORettypic.twitter.com/dZK1mqNTj1

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) April 16, 2023

The sickening injury only added to a painful day for the Hawks as they fall in a two-point nailbiter against the Giants.

Harry Himmelberg flew high in the final stages of the final quarter to grab a mark of the year contender before slotting the goal that handed them the lead.

Himmelberg then showed off his prowess at the other end of the ground by saving the Giants skin in the dying moments.

Jarman Impey had a chance to win it for the Hawks but his shot on the run from just inside 50 was touched on the line.

The touch that saved the match.

Jarman Impey and the Hawks denied by a hanger, goal, and desperate touch, from Harry Himmelberg.#AFLGiantsHawkspic.twitter.com/PlWVmTyrD1

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 16, 2023

What a finish. As big a match-winning finale as one player can possibly provide from Harry Himmelberg. #AFLGiantsHawks

— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) April 16, 2023

Number one draft pick from last year Aaron Cadman made his Giants debut, kicking a goal in the opening quarter to get his AFL career off and running.

Giants skipper Toby Greene delivered another clinical display as he finished the contest with 24 disposals and an equal game-high three goals.

Tom Green led the way through the middle of the ground for the Giants, racking up 32 disposals and having nine clearances.

The loss leaves the Hawks glued to the bottom of the AFL ladder with a 1-4 record while the Giants sit in 12th spot at 2-3, one game outside the top eight.