‘That’s horrible’: AFL footage no one needed to see

There were concerning scenes in the first game of the AFL season at the MCG and some fans felt they saw too much of a sickening injury.

Josh Gibcus suffered a nasty knee injury. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond youngster Josh Gibcus appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in Thursday night’s clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Richmond led by one point at halftime and two goals at three quarter time, but were overrun by the Blues thanks to final-quarter goals by Tom De Koning, Matt Owies and Adam Cerra.

Carlton won 86 (12.14) to 81 (12.9) to make it a perfect two wins to start the season after they beat Brisbane by one point last week.

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Remarkably, Carlton’s past six victories have each been by a margin of six points or less —making a case they could take over Collingwood’s mantle as the kings of the close finish.

There were concerning scenes in the second term when Gibcus landed awkwardly after contesting a marking contest.

His right knee contorted painfully and he was quickly attended to by medical staff before being taken from the field.

Richmond’s Josh Gibcus landed awkwardly and suffered a serious knee injury. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

You never want to see a player go down like that. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Gibcus, 21, was taken by Richmond at No. 9 in the 2021 AFL Draft and was returning from a hamstring injury that saw him play just one game last season.

AFL fans grimaced at the awful scenes, but many viewers felt they didn’t need to see the slow motion zoom replay on the moment Gibcus landed awkwardly and his knee buckled.

AAP sports reporter Oliver Caffrey wrote on X: “Why do we have ultra zoom replays for suspected ACLS, but not for goal-line calls?”

Collingwood fan account Swoop Luke posted: “Why does channel 7 need to go to ultra zoom for that? poor gibcus, that’s horrible.”

Damon Jackman wrote: “How about the broadcast testing out their new “ultra zoom” tech on poor bastard Gibcus doing his knee. Fair dinkum.”

“The ultra zoom on the poor kid’s knee was ultra unnecessary,” tweeted Adam Roy Davey.

Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy: “The news is not good for Josh Gibcus. Richmond believes that he has a suspected ACL.

“They might have hoped it would have been a hyperextension and bone bruise, but it’s about a 90 per cent certainty in those tests the club doctor would have carried,” Ralph said.

“Scans tomorrow will confirm that but it’s a horrific blow for a player that was going to hold up their entire defence.”

“Definite knee ACL mechanism for Tiger defender Gibcus - just had long hamstring post op rehab including time in Aspetar,” added Dr Peter Larkins on X.

Josh Gibcus was carted off the MCG. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The horror injury comes after Carlton veteran Sam Docherty and Brisbane Lions young gun Keidean Coleman suffered season-ending ACL injuries in the same game in Opening Round last weekend.

Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the game and was substituted out of the game for Rhyan Mansell.

Gibcus’ injury left the Tigers one player short on the bench for the second half.

The Tigers were down another player when Tylar Young was ruled out following a concussion in the second quarter.

Harry McKay has looked to have put his goalkicking woes behind him, kicking three goals in including an impressive long range effort from 55m out in the second quarter.

But a pair of generous free kicks gifted Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch two straightforward goals to help the Tigers stay in touch with Carlton early.

The second quarter turned into more of an arm wrestle and despite Carlton dominating play, Richmond were efficient in front of goal to be up 46 (7.4) to 6.9 (45) at halftime.

Originally published as ‘That’s horrible’: AFL footage no one needed to see