‘Bloody awful’: Richmond’s Sam Banks knocked out cold in horror fall

Richmond’s night couldn’t have gotten much worse against the Western Bulldogs, capped off as a young star was knocked out cold.

That was as nasty. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Footy

The Western Bulldogs have blown the Richmond Tigers off the park in a 19.19 (133) to 6.6 (42) drubbing at the MCG.

But the game has been rocked after the horrific sight of Sam Banks being stretchered off the field after an ugly fall.

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Midway through the third quarter, Banks was running back to try and make a play on the ball but was flipped after Western Bulldogs ruck Tim English lost his footing after jostling with Noah Balta.

Unfortunately, English fell into the legs of Banks, who was flipped onto his head and left knocked out on the MCG turf.

The 21-year-old was out cold and medical staff quickly rushed to his aid.

Play was stopped for several minutes as he was stretchered from the field and taken straight to the rooms.

“A hush goes around the ground,” Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson said.

“That was instant. And immediate, the response, as well. Thankfully, in some ways, it happened so close to the bench that the medical team could get out there within a split second.

“It was very obvious to all that the stretcher was going to be required straight away.”

He added: “This is the last thing Richmond needs.”

Sam Banks was out cold. Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The players got around the youngster. Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

They were terrifying scenes for the fans, who were quick to wish the best for the youngster.

The Back Pocket podcast posted: “That’s bloody awful, thoughts are with Sam Banks.”

Another fan wrote: “Horror incident in the Tigers Dogs game. Hope Sam Banks is OK. Doesn’t matter who you go for, I hate seeing those injuries.”

The Richmond Journey account commented: “Thinking of Sam Banks after that contest, was genuinely concerned when he didn’t move.”

But the Tigers soon posted an update on social media, writing: “Sam Banks is awake in the rooms and doing okay after being stretchered off the ground following a collision.”

Banks even finished the match on the sideline but will continue to be monitored.

On top of a bad night on the scoreboard, the Tigers also lost premiership midfielder Jack Graham to a soft-tissue injury, while Maurice Rioli Jr. was distressed after suffering what appeared to be a serious leg injury late in the match.

For the Bulldogs, the win, although unlikely to fully take the pressure off coach Luke Beveridge, will ease the scrutiny for another week, having pulled off their biggest win in five years.

It was just the result the Bulldogs needed. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The 91-point win could not have been a better response to the Bulldogs’ shock loss to Hawthorn last week.

Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and James Harmes all booted four goals while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan could have had a bag of his own if he had packed his kicking boots.

Ed Richards produced season-best numbers as coach Luke Beveridge’s persistence with the left-footer in the midfield paid off in Tom Liberatore’s absence, but the Dogs will not be satisfied unless the win is the start of a streak after Richmond dished up its worst performance under Adem Yze.

Putting aside the continuation of their cursed run of injuries, the Tigers laid a feeble 46 tackles to the Bulldogs’ 55 despite giving away more than 100 extra disposals.

The margin blew out to 103 points midway through the final term but two late goals prevented the psychological hit of a three-figure loss.

With Ed Bourke, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as ‘Bloody awful’: Richmond’s Sam Banks knocked out cold in horror fall