Carlton have provided a positive update on Jacob Weitering, saying the defender has been cleared of any serious head or neck injuries after a scary incident on Saturday night. Weitering was one of five players injured in the AFL State of Origin game as Victoria beat Western Australia by 24 points.
Weitering was taken from the ground on a stretcher in a neck brace, and later taken to hospital for scans. The Carlton star was sandwiched in a marking contest and had the full weight of WA forward Mitch Georgiades fall on his ribs and shoulder.
Jacob Weitering was taken to hospital after a heavy fall in AFL State of Origin.
Replays showed Georgiades’ elbow may have made contact with Weitering’s head as they fell to the ground, with particular concern for the Victorian big man’s head and neck. Speaking after the match, Scott said he would leave it to Carlton to update on Weitering, but indicated the star backman might 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.”
Victoria and Western Australia players got around Jacob Weitering as he was taken off on a stretcher.
(AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Thankfully, the Blues revealed on Sunday that Weitering has been cleared of anything serious and discharged from hospital. The club said Weitering: “Was assessed – and ultimately cleared – of any neck, spinal or major internal injury. The 28-year-old does have some soreness around the chest area which requires further assessment and the club will be in a position to provide a more accurate recovery timeline by the middle of the week, once he is further monitored by Blues medical staff in the coming days.”
Carlton’s GM of Football Chris Davies said in a statement: “First and foremost we are grateful Jacob is okay and has been cleared of any major injury – it is a positive outcome given the circumstances. While Jacob is feeling sore this morning, he has avoided significant damage, so we will manage him as needed while we ramp up our preparations for the start of the season.”
Chris Scott makes call on future of AFL State of Origin
Weitering was one of five players injured in the first AFL Origin game since 1999. Gold Coast star and Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell hurt his finger, while Adelaide recruit Callum Ah Chee, Port forward Georgiades and GWS defender Sam Taylor all went off with hamstring concerns.
The injury carnage has sparked questions about whether the Origin concept has a future, especially if it’s played pre-season. But Scott pointed to injuries that have occurred at training – most notably Giants player Tom Green doing his ACL – to suggest it’s simply unavoidable.
Mitch Georgiades and Callum Ah Chee went off with hamstring concerns. Image: Getty
Scott said he 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.”