Pies star’s ‘emotional’ tribute to teammate after horror injury as gruesome details emerge

Jeremy Howe is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines as details of one of the most horrific injuries in recent AFL history emerge.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: 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 on March 17, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood vice-captain Jeremy Howe is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines, with the star defender stretchered off the MCG and taken to hospital after suffering one of the most horrific AFL injuries in recent memory.

Howe on Friday night collided with Geelong opponent Tyson Stengle while attempting to spoil the ball in the early stages of the third quarter of the Magpies’ 22-point win.

But as the 32-year-old attempted to brace for contact with the MCG turf, he landed awkwardly on his left arm.

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Play was stopped for around seven minutes as Collingwood trainers rushed onto the field to assess Howe, who was seen lying on the turf with his arm out in excruciating pain.

Given the graphic nature of Howe’s injury — a fractured forearm — broadcasters chose not to show the replay of the incident.

Not what you want to see!

Howe with a broken arm, wishing him a speedy recovery!

📺 Watch #AFLCatsPies LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/c5Vwhmfd1e
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/6uHvPujeG7
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/i8dMFc0RZlpic.twitter.com/6X3cwqs97L

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 17, 2023

Howe was placed onto a stretcher before every Magpies teammate, as well as a few Geelong opponents, surrounded him to show their support for the injured veteran.

He was then seen being loaded into an ambulance surrounded by family outside the Collingwood rooms.

I mean, there are just no words for the absolute brutality of this game even in the modern era. Thoughts are with Jeremy. Awful. #AFLCatsPies

📷 Michael Willson (of course) pic.twitter.com/tlBGYfMkCD

— Kyle Pollard (@KylePollard) March 17, 2023

Makes you sick. That’s an awful injury

— Darren Parkin (@Darren_Parkin) March 17, 2023

Collingwood coach Craig McRae suggested Howe would undergo surgery on Saturday.

“He is in hospital unfortunately. He has a fracture. I’m not even going to try and explain what it is. He is going to have a scan and potentially an operation tomorrow,” McRae said after the match.

“He is such an important player. He is the vice-captain, we all love him, so when you see one of the real good guys go down, that‘s going to be a cost somewhere.

“I‘m not sure how long he is going to be out. But the players’ reaction to that, we are a connected group, it is pleasing to see that on the field.”

Magpies defender Brayden Maynard said it was devastating.

“For him to go down like that … I didn’t realise the extent of the injury but when I went over there I saw the bone out of the arm so it’s very disappointing,” Maynard told ABC.

“I’m actually pretty devastated because he finds himself sometimes getting injured and having long stints out of the game and he’s such a vital player for us, so hopefully he’s back bigger and stronger.”

The star defender had been one of Collingwood’s most durable players before suffering a nasty knee injury in 2020, which restricted him to just four games for the season. He then played just eight games in 2021 primarily due to a hamstring injury.

Jeremy Howe of the Magpies leaves the field on a stretcher. Picture: Dylan Burns

Jeremy Howe of the Magpies. Picture: Dylan Burns

Collingwood captain Darcy Moore was emotional when speaking about Howe post-game.

“It’s heartbreaking. We go through so much together as AFL players, you ride the highs and the lows really closely,” Moore told Channel 7. “So to 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 forget about it and get on with the job.

“I’m getting a bit emotional just talking about it. It’s a horrible part of our game, but we expect nothing less from Jeremy. He’s just an incredible teammate who puts his body on the line and that contest definitely.”

'I'm getting a bit emotional just talking about it'

Skipper Darcy Moore on the injury to teammate Jeremy Howe. pic.twitter.com/tgiqx6AYWL

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 17, 2023

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Collingwood players “would’ve been gutted” after losing Howe.

“‘Howie’ is such an emotional connector for this group, so that’s a big thing to get over,” Buckley told Fox Footy.

Howe’s latest injury comes just three days after the Magpies confirmed he’d signed a one-yera contract extension that tied him to the club until at least the end of the 2024 season.

“We are pleased Jeremy has committed to this program for another year,” Pies football boss Graham Wright said.

“Jeremy has been an integral part of this Club on and off the field. He has exceptional football smarts, is a strong leader, and overall a really quality person.”

Originally published as Pies star’s ‘emotional’ tribute to teammate after horror injury as gruesome details emerge