‘Sickening’ head clash sparks heated free kick debate

Footy fans were divided after AFL superstar Nat Fyfe knocked out a young Eagle at Perth Stadium — and then received a free kick.

Zac Langdon's head knock with Nat Fyfe.

West Coast Eagles recruit Zac Langdon suffered a concussion scare during Sunday’s Community Series game against the Fremantle Dockers, but fans were left divided by a contentious umpiring decision.

In the third quarter at Perth Stadium, Langdon and Dockers captain Nat Fyfe collided heads while attacking a loose ball inside Fremantle’s defensive 50.

The side of Fyfe’s head made contact with Langdon’s forehead at pace, leaving the Eagles forward sprawled on the turf in considerable pain.

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Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich described the “sickening scenes” as the 25-year-old was attended by trainers and taken off the ground on a medical cart.

Speaking to reporters after the 10-point victory, Eagles coach Adam Simpson confirmed he was “walking around and talking” with teammates.

Zac Langdon of the Eagles is attended to by trainers.

Zac Langdon is loaded onto a medical cart.

Former Eagles defender Will Schofield tweeted: “Zac Langdon (is) not a big name for West Coast yet, but don’t underestimate his loss, playing an important selfless role in that forward line. Hope he is ok.”

According to newly-introduced concussion protocols, Langdon is required to spend at least 12 days on the sidelines.

He could therefore potentially miss West Coast’s round one fixture against the Gold Coast Suns at Perth Stadium on Sunday, March 21st.

Eagles forward Zac Langdon has been taken off on the stretcher after this incident.#AAMISeriespic.twitter.com/qmB9CI9z71

— AFL (@AFL) March 7, 2021

Head clash... free kick Fyfe 🤔

— Will Schofield (@WillSchofield) March 7, 2021

Several footy pundits questioned why Fyfe was awarded a free kick following the incident, arguing a ball-up would have been the appropriate call.

Sports commentator Tim Gossage bluntly tweeted: “It wasn’t a free to Fyfe for head clash with Langdon either.”

Although Fyfe was innocent of any wrongdoing, some of Perth’s 20,116 spectators booed the Dockers star after the head knock occurred.

Fox Sports reporter Max Laughton tweeted: “Nat Fyfe is currently getting booed either for a head clash, which wasn’t his fault, or for getting a free kick from the head clash, which also wasn’t his fault.”

ABC broadcaster Geoff Hutchinson posted: “Eagles fans booing Fyfe for what? Having a hard head?”

Langdon was one of three Eagles players to suffer an injury on Sunday — captain Luke Shuey left the match early with an ankle complaint, while Brad Sheppard also copped a nasty head knock in the fourth quarter.

West Coast ultimately secured a 9.13 (67) to 8.9 (57) victory over the Dockers, with forward Liam Ryan kicking three majors.

Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff impressed with 31 disposals and two behinds, while Michael Frederick and Lachie Schultz each booted two goals for Fremantle.