Sickening scenes as AFL star knocked out cold, stretchered off

Horror scenes have unfolded during the first quarter of the Thursday night contest between St Kilda and Collingwood at the MCG.

Saints midfielder Mason Wood was left out cold on the turf following an aerial collision with a teammate.

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As the Pies looked to launch another forward attack, a kick from Josh Daicos on the wing was sent in the direction of Darcy Cameron.

Cameron leapt off the ground and hauled in the mark as Wood and Zaine Cordy launched and attempted to spoil the mark.

Unfortunately Wood missed the contest and slammed into Cordy and was sent horizontally through the air before crashing down hard on the turf.

The game was brought to a halt moments later as medical staff rushed onto the ground to check on the midfielder.

After a long wait he was loaded onto a stretcher and taken from the field and was subbed out of the contest.

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said: “This is shocking what we’re seeing here.”

Triple M’s Rudi Edsall wrote: “Christ that looks terrible for Mason Wood.”

Wood was seen being loaded into an ambulance during the second quarter.

You can watch the incident in the video player above

Wood landed on his head after the mid-air collision. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Collingwood started the game on fire as they looked to capture their first win of the 2024 season having lost their opening two contests.

Jamie Elliot got the scoring started with the opening goal, but it didn’t take long for the Saints to answer back with Jack Higgins slotting a goal minutes later.

The Pies then took control as they slotted the next two goals through Jack Lipinski and Reef McInnes.

The delay caused by the Wood injury however seemed to give the Saints a spark as they came soaring home to end the opening quarter.

Wood was subbed out. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Max King kicked the first before Liam Henry levelled the contest up with his first goal. Brad Hill then gave the Saints the lead before the split the Pies open with a lightning transition.

Collingwood were put under the microscope through the week for failing to get back defensively and it was on display again on Thursday.

The Saints stormed through the middle of the ground with open players everywhere in the forward 50.

It ultimately ended in the hands of Higgins who kicked his second and the Saints fourth as they entered the first break with a two-goal lead.