GWS star ruckman Kieren Briggs was hospitalised after sustaining a possible neck injury during a match against Collingwood. The incident occurred early in the game when Briggs fell awkwardly after attempting to mark the ball inside his defensive 50.
As he contested the mark, he was inadvertently struck by Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron and knocked to the ground. To intensify the situation, his teammate Sam Taylor collided with him at the same moment, leaving Briggs motionless on the ground until medical staff arrived.
AFL legend Dermott Brereton weighed in on the incident during a Fox League broadcast, noting that while there was no intent to harm, the collision resulted in an unfortunate outcome as Briggs was caught off guard by the sudden contact.
As medical personnel assessed Briggs, players from both teams gathered in their huddles, showing concern for the injured ruckman. He was subsequently transported off the field on a stretcher for medical evaluation.
The club later announced that Briggs was “upright and walking” but would still undergo further examination at the hospital due to the nature of his neck injury. A post shared on GWS’s social media revealed Briggs watching the remainder of the match from his hospital bed, indicating he was in relatively good spirits.
Depending on any potential concussion symptoms, it appears that Briggs may not play in the upcoming game against Melbourne. His injury is a significant concern, particularly given the GWS Giants’ growing injury list, which also includes players like Jake Riccardi, Jake Stringer, and Jesse Hogan.
Former AFL coach Nathan Buckley remarked on the implications of Briggs’ injury, pointing out that it could affect the team’s dynamics moving forward. Since becoming the first-choice ruckman in 2023, Briggs has only missed one of GWS’s last 42 games, making his potential absence a critical issue for the club as they navigate the challenges of the current season.