A brutal collision left Collingwood rattled after Jeremy Howe was left motionless on the ground just two minutes into their heavy 110-46 loss against Hawthorn.
The 35-year-old was chasing a loose ball when he crashed into an incoming Jai Newcombe, which resulted in the Pies gun falling straight towards the ground.
The momentum of the collision saw Newcombe follow his rival to the turf within the following seconds, but attention was instantly placed on the state of Howe.
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"It's a car crash … it is sickening to watch," David King said on Fox Footy.
"This is what these guys subject themselves to at the highest level."
A replay of the incident confirmed that Howe had got to the ball but had clashed heads with Newcombe as he attempted to gain possession.
Play was stopped after the ball was cleared down the other end of the field, with team medics attending to the pair on the turf.
The Hawks star managed to return to his feet with no assistance and was cleared to return to play following an assessment with team medics in the rooms.
Meanwhile, Howe was taken from the field on a stretcher.
All fielded Collingwood players approached Howe as he was taken to the sheds.
"It will be very difficult for his teammates to watch. The emotional impact this will have, they are almost family these guys," King continued.
"Seeing one of your great mates go down like this, you will lose concentration on the game because in reality, there is a greater price being paid."
Collingwood later confirmed Howe had suffered a concussion and was being transported to hospital for precautionary scans.
King confirmed he does not believe Newcombe will have no case to answer for with the match review officers.
Ned Long was substituted into the game in replace of Howe.
At the end of the first term, Hawthorn held a five-point lead but that quickly turned into a 39-point margin at the half time break.
The Hawks took control of the match in the second term, slotting seven goals to their rival's one.
Collingwood managed to increase their score to 33 points at the end of the third, but it was not enough to overshadow the power that was Hawthorn's attack.
As the final siren sounded, the result ended 17.8 (110) to 6.10 (46) in favour of the Hawks.
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