The AFL has admitted the umpires got it wrong by failing to stop play when Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz was concussed after a sickening collision with former Dockers teammate Jordan Clark

Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says it simply didn’t feel right that the umpires didn’t stop the game against Fremantle after the incident.

Schultz was left prone on the ground after copping a shoulder to the head while tackling Dockers’ defender Jordan Clark in Collingwood’s 15.7 (97) to 12.11 (83) win on Thursday night.

Umpires let play continue, despite even Fremantle players pointing out Schultz on the ground.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Schultz knocked out in horror hit

In further worrying scenes, a groggy Schultz collapsed to the turf a short time later after trying to get up and walk off the field.

By this time, Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott had taken a mark in attack, and he was allowed to take his set shot as Schultz finally recovered enough to jog off the ground.

On Friday the AFL claimed the umpires did not see Schultz struggling to stand up.

“The play can be stopped by the umpires, who are instructed to stop play as soon as they are aware there is an injured player in the vicinity of play. In last night’s match the umpires did not see the injured player at the time, so play continued,” a spokesperson said.

“Upon review, if umpires were aware, play would have been stopped when Daicos had possession in the middle of the ground.”

The error comes a week after umpires did not stop play when Bomber Harrison Jones badly injured his ankle.

Collingwood had already used their substitute at three-quarter time with Steele Sidebottom withdrawn for tactical reasons.

But despite being a man down and already without Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey and Brody Mihocek, the Pies still had too much for the Dockers in a 20-point victory.

After the match, Moore described how “rattled” he and his fellow players were after seeing Schultz in distress.

“We were pretty concerned at how severe he looked, how disoriented he looked,” Moore told Fox Footy.

“Players on both teams thought the game should have been stopped at least for 20 seconds to let him off the ground.

“A lot of the Freo guys were getting to Lachie as well. That was our first concern, given how nasty it looked.

“He was right in front of me so I could see how much he struggled walking.

“It felt like 20 seconds - it was a set shot anyway - so it felt like it was right in that moment (to stop the play).

“It felt like out here in the moment, (when) someone is in a state like that and we’re still running around chasing a footy - it didn’t feel right.”

Both Collingwood coach Craig McRae and Fremantle counterpart Justin Longmuir agreed that play should have been stopped.

“Ideally you could stop the game,” McRae said.

“We were all just worried about his welfare, and we called for the stretcher, and our doctors were trying everything they can to sort of just get Lachie okay.

“My love and care for Lachie is paramount, and his well-being is paramount.

“We want to protect our players, and you don’t like to see your players laying on the ground.”

Given Schultz is a former Docker, Longmuir has a connection with the Magpies’ forward.

“It would have been nice if it had been stopped,” Longmuir said.

“I hope he’s okay. I know he’s had some concussion issues in the past, and it’s never great to see anyone in those moments, let alone someone who I’ve worked closely with and have a lot of respect for.

“Fingers crossed he recovers well.”

During the call Channel 7’s Brian Taylor said it was A shocking moment.

“He’s gone straight through the tackler and he has been knocked out cold,” Taylor said.

“That is a bad one. I think we will have a halt in play, here. Craig McRae is very concerned. This is not good. He cannot keep his feet. This is horrible to watch,” Taylor added.

Kane Cornes added: “It is one of those ones that you just hate seeing. Reasonable graphic. Both players, full commitment. Sometimes that is this game and accidents happen. Incredible commitment from both players. Just a shame to see that from Lachie Schultz who has been so good tonight.”

Collingwood’s win was achieved despite leaving Brody Mihocek, Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey and Brayden Maynard back in Melbourne off a five-day break.

Elliott stepped up to kick six goals, while Jack Crisp was also sensational.

Star midfielder Nick Daicos, who looked to be battling a hip/back injury, finished with just 18 disposals, four clearances and one goal, but he looked dangerous when he went into attack.

With 7NEWS