Carlton defender Jacob Weitering has been taken to hospital after appearing to injure his neck in the State of Origin clash at Perth's Optus Stadium.
Weitering was sandwiched in a high-flying marking contest and had the full weight of WA forward Mitch Georgiades fall on his ribs and shoulder as they crashed to the turf during Saturday's clash.
But it was Weitering's head and neck that looked to be the biggest concern, with replays showing Georgiades' elbow may have made contact with the Victorian defender's head as they fell to the ground.
An out-of-sorts Weitering received medical treatment on the turf for about nine minutes and was placed in a neck brace before being stretchered off.
Victorian and WA players went over to tap Weitering to give him their support, and the 28-year-old gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he was driven off the field.
He was placed in an ambulance and driven to hospital.
After the match, Victoria coach Chris Scott said he didn't want to talk in detail about Weitering's injury out of respect for Carlton, but indicated the star backman would be set for a stint on the sidelines.
"What we've decided to do from here is allow Carlton to give the update," Scott said.
"They've been well informed ... and I think over the next 24 hours, they'll release something.
"But our understanding is it's serious enough that you need to be updated on it. He's going to miss a period of time I think."
Saturday's match at a sold-out Optus Stadium was the first AFL Origin contest since 1999.
The concept started waning in the 1990s as clubs became more concerned about their star players getting injured in the State game.
If Weitering's injury is serious, it will be a big test to see how Carlton react, given his importance to their hopes of getting back into finals action this year.
There were other injury concerns.
Brownlow medallist and Gold Coast star Matt Rowell injured his finger, while Adelaide recruit Callum Ah Chee, Port forward Georgiades and GWS defender Sam Taylor all went off with hamstring concerns.
Just days before Origin, GWS midfielder Tom Green suffered a suspected torn ACL during the Giants' intraclub hit-out.
Scott hopes Carlton fans will be able to digest Weitering's injury without overly blaming Origin.
"I just don't think that they will be any more disappointed than the GWS fans about Tom or the players that inevitably get injured at pre-season training or pre-season games," Scott said.
"I guess the only coherent argument you could make is the intensity here is likely higher than a practice game.
"If you're half-hearted, you're more likely to get injured.
"That's that's sort of always been my approach as a coach, and I'm a bigger believer in luck than I've ever been.
"And more specifically, you're going to get some some bad luck, and you just need to roll with the punches.
"I would hate to lecture the fans. I get that Carlton people would be disappointed."
