Christian Petracca suffered punctured lung and four broken ribs in heavy MCG collision

The full extent of the severe injuries Melbourne star Christian Petracca suffered at the MCG on Monday have been revealed.

Christian Petracca on his way to hospital after an accidental knee in the ribs

Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca remains in hospital after having surgery to repair a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen suffered in a heavy collision in his team’s King’s Birthday loss to Collingwood on Monday.

Petracca took a knee to his ribs from Magpie captain Darcy Moore just before the quarter-time siren and was sent down into the rooms at the break and assessed.

He returned to the field and played on for 20 minutes but was subbed out early in the third quarter and sent from the ground to hospital via ambulance for scans.

The 28-year-old remained in hospital for further observation on Monday night and the club confirmed on Tuesday Petracca sustained broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and a small puncture within his lung acd that he underwent a procedure to stop the bleeding last night and remains in hospital for observation and recovery.

Melbourne’s football boss, Alan Richardson, said there was no timeline on a return to playing with his recovery the priority.

“Obviously, Christian’s health is the number one priority for us at the moment,” Richardson said.

Christian Petracca went down to the rooms following this contest just before quarter-time.#AFLPiesDeespic.twitter.com/H4ikC5gvzY

— AFL (@AFL) June 10, 2024

“The next few weeks will be crucial, and we’ll be monitoring his progress closely to make sure he heals properly and fully. As his recovery progresses, we will look towards a return to play timeline,”

“He’s obviously an extremely important player for the team, but his health and recovery are our top priorities right now.“

One of the most recent AFL players to suffer a lacerated spleen, Collingwood’s Mason Cox, spent six weeks on the sidelines which could be the timeframe confronting Petracca.

RICHMOND have lost midfield bull Dion Prestia for Dustin Martin’s 300th game at trhe MCG on Saturday after he suffered a calf injury,

But gun forward Tom Lynch remains in the frame to return from a hamstring injury which has sidelined him since round 2.

While Dion Prestia will miss our match against Hawthorn, @TomLynch19 could be set for a return.

Get the latest injury update, brought to you by @nibhealth.

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) June 11, 2024

ESSENDON mid-season draftee Saad El-Hawli’s hopes of an AFL debut had hit a roadblock after suffering a syndesmosis injury that will sideline him for the next 6-8 weeks.

El-Hawli was taken from the ground during the fourth quarter aftee booting four goals in a starring role for the Bombers in a stirring VFL comeback win last weekend.

Midfielder Will Setterfield will also be sidelined for a week with a knee injury.

THE Western Bulldogs could get both Ed Richards and Cody Weightman back for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle but will lose defender Alex Keath for as much as seven weeks after he hurt his hamstring in last Friday’s loss to Brisbane.

Richards is set to return from concussion while Weightman will be tested having recovered from an elbow injury which required surgery and has sidelined him since round 8.

“Cody has been the ultimate professional in his rehabilitation following his elbow reconstruction,” Bulldogs fitness boss Chris Bell said.

“We will work through a process with Cody across this week to confirm his availability.”

Speedy recovery, Saad.

Full injury update below.

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) June 11, 2024

ANOTHER hamstring strain will sideline St Kilda defender Dougal Howard for a month having already had his season derailed by injury. Howard didn’t play his first game for the season in Round 8.

ADELAIDE star Izak Rankine could return from a hamstring injury against Sydney on Saturday night along with spearhead Taylor Walker.

Rankine has been sidelined since Round 10 with a hamstring injury and Walker missed last week’s clash with Richmond with a back complaint.

Both are expected to train at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night and be tested before selection.

GWS vice-captain Josh Kelly and defender Jack Buckley could both return to play the Power this week as they resume full training after short layoffs with calf injuries.