Melbourne star Christian Petracca in emergency surgery for multiple internal injuries after Collingwood loss

The Melbourne Demons are reeling after star midfielder Christian Petracca was rushed into emergency surgery last night to repair injuries that included a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs.

Petracca was the subject of a monster hit involving a knee in the back and ribs from Collingwood’s Darcy Moore during their loss on Monday, and, after it was discovered his condition was worse than first thought, was taken to hospital for the procedure.

The Herald Sun is reporting that the injuries threaten to sideline Petracca for months after the Melbourne medical staff painted a dire picture of a lengthy recovery.

The Demons are preparing to release more information on his condition today.

Petracca returned to the field in the second quarter but was then later assessed to have possible multiple fractured ribs and was taken from the field and sent to hospital.

“Like anything with a broken rib or a cracked rib, you certainly get some pain relief and see how you can go on. It’s standard process when you’re working through these types of injuries,” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

“It was pretty evident that he wasn’t going to be able to play on so we just pulled it straight away at half-time.”