Carlton defender Mitch McGovern taken to hospital after crunching hit from Liam O’Connell
Carlton defender Mitch McGovern was taken to hospital with a suspected breathing issue during his side’s Round 9 AFL clash with St Kilda after a heavy hit from Liam O’Connell.
McGovern was met front-on after running back with the flight of a handball from teammate Patrick Cripps, cannoning into the brick wall that was O’Connell, who executed a crunching but fair bump.
The Blues interceptor was clearly rocked by the hit, throwing his head back before he even hit the ground.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.When he did land on the turf, he reached straight for the upper part of his sternum.
Abbey Holmes said at quarter-time that Carlton had ruled out any suggestion of a concussion.
“Confirmation from the Blues that Mitch McGovern has been subbed out of this clash,” she said.
“It isn’t a HIA concern, they have said it’s more of a sternum injury to McGovern.”

With more information at half-time, 7NEWS Melbourne’s Xander McGuire said McGovern had been loaded into an ambulance.
“I can tell you just moments ago he’s been collected by a paramedic ambulance and has been taken from the MCG,” McGuire said.
“He copped a hit from Liam O’Connell and the initial fear was that it was a jaw (injury) or a head knock, given that’s where it looked like the contact was, but he’s been hit square in the chest and sternum area.
“The concern now is whether it’s a breathing issue; the club doesn’t have any further information as it stands.
“But moments ago, two paramedics and two paramedic supervisors gathered here outside the Carlton rooms where he was loaded into the ambulance truck.
“It looked like his partner and his baby got in the truck with him, with a number of teammates checking on his welfare just to see how he goes.
“Our thoughts are with Mitch McGovern, the McGovern family, and Carlton at the moment.”


Minutes after the McGovern hit at the other end of the ground, St Kilda superstar Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera appeared to roll his ankle after coming down from a marking contest in his defensive goal square.
Wanganeen-Milera hobbled away from the density straight away before attempting to take the kick in.
Unable to take it, he had to give the ball away to a teammate and limp off.
Initial fears that the star defender had done some damage to his foot were later relieved by St Kilda medical staff, who sent him back out onto the field.
Later, in what was becoming a night of injury carnage, Carlton utility Blake Acres came off with a shoulder problem and immediately went down into the rooms.
“Acres is in a lot of pain, he’s coming straight from the ground now with that right shoulder,” Holmes said.
Carlton defender Lachie Cowan was also taken off with a hamstring complaint.
Acres later returned to finish the game.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport