Rattled Pies say umpires should have stopped the game
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says it simply didn't feel right that the umpires didn't stop the game against Fremantle following a sickening concussion to Lachie Schultz.
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.
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.
An awful collision sees Lachie Schultz in real trouble, but play continues and the Pies extend their lead. 📺 Watch #AFLFreoPies LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/tEbIJrg77g✍️ BLOG https://t.co/yYfbU2mekN🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/lvaile6LjW pic.twitter.com/yzMv0VjJBf
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 8, 2025
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."
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.
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