Melbourne defender Adam Tomlinson has broken down in tears on the bench after coming off the ground with a suspected ACL tear against North Melbourne.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred in the opening moments of the Demons' Round Seven clash in Tasmania, when the 27-year-old crumpled to the ground in a heap after planting his left foot in the turf.<\/p>\n
Tomlinson immediately grabbed his left knee before being helped off the ground by Melbourne's training staff.<\/p>\n
The versatile defender was taken down into the rooms and then returned, cutting a shattered figure on the bench as tears began to stream down his face as he was embraced by his teammates at the quarter-time break.<\/p>\n
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"You can see the impact it's having on his teammates," Hawks great Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy on commentary.<\/p>\n
"He's putting on the brave face, out there encouraging at the huddle, which is a brilliant thing to do … they are all making a point of going over to him."<\/p>\n
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin noted at half-time that the Demons were anticipating an ACL tear for Tomlinson, calling the injury "shattering".<\/p>\n
"He's worked so hard to get himself in this position and I know his teammates and everyone is feeling for him," he said.<\/p>\n
MORE TO COME<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"