Hugh McCluggage knocked out cold after James Sicily tackle

An AFL captain is in hot water once again after a tackle on a rival star left him motionless on the ground for several minutes.

Hugh McCluggage knocked out cold

Hawthorn skipper James Sicily returned to lead his side in a stunning upset on Saturday afternoon as they took down Brisbane at the MCG.

Sicily came back into the team after copping a one-week ban after delivering a hit shot on St Kilda’s Anthony Caminiti two weeks ago.

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While his return boosted the Hawks into a brilliant display at the home of football, it came at a cost for the captain.

During the fourth quarter Sicily wrapped his arms around Lions star Hugh McCluggage and slung him to the turf.

The tackle resulted in McCluggage’s head being trapped under his body and turning his lights off instantly.

Play continued as the midfielder lay motionless on the deck for several minutes before the umpires brought the game to a halt.

Medical staff rushed to his side as the cart entered the ground. McCluggage eventually made his way back onto his feet and elected to walk around the boundary line back to the bench.

“It’s a pretty scary sight when one of your teammates is laying there pretty motionless ... hopefully he recovers well and we’ll look after him this week,” Lachie Neale said to 3AW after the game.

McCluggage was helped from the field. Photo by Michael Klein.

Brisbane held the upper hand at halftime, holding a 17-point advantage but the second half was one-way Hawthorn traffic.

The team who are 16th on the ladder kicked 10 second half goals to three as they ran away to record the 15.8 (98) to 11.7 (73) victory.

It becomes only their fourth win on the season, drawing them level with the GWS Giants on the premiership table.

The Lions remain in fourth spot for the time being despite losing their second straight contest. They entered the match against the Hawks as red hot favourites and will be left kicking themselves for letting the win be ripped from their hands.

The Hawks are flying. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawthorn will have their bye next weekend before returning in round 15 when they head up to Queensland to take on the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday afternoon.

All eyes however will now turn to the Match Review Officer and the tackle laid by Sicily which resulted in McLuggage being subbed out through concussion.

St Kilda player Dan Butler was handed a one-week ban from the MRO after delivering a tackle on Sydney’s Nick Blakey that saw the Swans’ players head hit the turf but didn’t result in him being concussed.

Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli could also find himself in hot water after a hit on Port Adelaide player Dan Houston on Friday night.

Midway through the second quarter with the Power leading 37-29, Houston was fumbling over a ground ball at the top of Port Adelaide’s defensive 50 when Bontempelli came in from the side, collecting Houston high and sparking remonstrations from Houston’s Power teammates.

Originally published as Hugh McCluggage knocked out cold after James Sicily tackle