Greater Western Sydney star forward Jeremy Cameron is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after laying a horrific hit on Brisbane's Harris Andrews in the first quarter of the Giants' 27 point win at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
Cameron caught Andrews in the jaw as the Lions defender -- who has found himself in All Australian consideration through the first half of the season -- attempted a trademark spoil just 10 minutes into the game. Andrews immediately hit the deck concussed as blood spurted from his face and chin.
The game was stopped for around five minutes as medical staff rushed onto the ground and helped him into a neck brace before taking him from the ground where he would later undergo a concussion test in the rooms. Fortunately Andrews wasn't taken to hospital and returned to the bench midway through the second term to watch on.
For the remainder of the game Cameron was religiously booed every time he went near the Sherrin but still finished up with three goals from nine disposals. Speaking to Fox Footy after the final siren, Cameron denied there was any intention of malice and claimed he was just playing hard football.
"I saw the ball coming in and I like to play the ball really hard," Cameron told Fox Footy. "I hit him in the head, definitely didn't want to hurt him and hurt him like that.
Shocking hit on @HarrisAndrews31 hopefully no major damage #gun could be a few weeks off for Cameron
— Tom Rockliff (@rockwiz38) June 23, 2018
"He's a great young player and playing some awesome football. It would have been great to have him out on the ground and go against him head-to-head.
"I'll definitely give him a call or a message after the game, that's for sure."
Attention will now shift to the AFL's Match Review Officer Michael Christian who will assess the impact and decide whether or not the case will go straight to the tribunal.
Either way GWS's six-time leading goalkicker is likely to spend a fair chunk of time out of the game which could prove costly for the Giants who are battling for a finals berth and face Hawthorn, West Coast, Richmond and Port Adelaide in what is set to be a crucial month of football for Leon Cameron's side.