Melbourne forward Brody Mihocek feared he may never walk again during the “scary” moment he lost feeling in his body after suffering a neck injury.

Mihocek is “feeling a lot better” but in a neck brace for six weeks while he recovers from two neck fractures after an awkward tackle from Collingwood defender and ex-teammate Billy Frampton in the King’s Birthday match.

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The Demons recruit was rushed to hospital and underwent successful surgery, with the 33-year old to miss the remainder of this season.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the injury in an interview that aired on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Mihocek, recounted the harrowing moment he went down in the tackle.

“I heard a massive crack when I hit the hit the ground, then lost feeling in pretty much most of my body,” he said.

“The worry kicked in there, I remember yelling out saying I needed some help.

“Had some trainers come up straight away, then the doctors.

“Once I started to sort of get feeling back in, I think it first started to come back in my hips, then slowly started to coming back to my legs and arms. But still was limited with what I could do with the functions.

“It was pretty scary the initial couple of minutes, I knew I had something pretty bad. But to have feeling back was the main thing for me and I knew I was in good hands with the doctors and support crew at the time.”

Brody Mihocek has opened up on his scary neck injury.Source: FOX SPORTS

An injury that could’ve been even more serious, Mihocek admitted his mind initially went to some dark places.

“Obviously, your thoughts go to: ‘I’m not going to be able to walk for the rest of my life’,” he added.

“I think I played out scenarios in my head pretty quickly of what life would be like and what life would be like with the family.

“Once the feeling sort of came back, it was pretty relieving. I knew the damage I had was still pretty severe, but it’s funny how quickly you can think of things in a little moment there.

“On the day everyone was pretty calm and I think I tried to stay pretty calm for everyone around. It would’ve been pretty traumatising for a few, but I think I held myself together pretty well.”

AFL 360: Frampton cleared by the MRO | 02:21

Mihocek will wear a neck brace for six weeks, before he’ll spend “another six weeks of pretty minimal stuff” in his rehab work.

And while the Melbourne recruit won’t have an on field role at he club for the rest of the 2026 campaign, he hopes he can still help support the team in its finals push under Steven King.

“When you’re a full-time athlete, then get it all taken away, it can be pretty daunting. But just little things I can do, I reckon I can start ticking off a few rehab stuff already,” Mihocek said.

“Also just getting back and trying to get involved with the team. The back-half of the year gets pretty hard, so if I can be around to add a bit of support here and there and try and help the forward line as much as I can and get into finals and do something.

“Just to be around will help with my mental state and I know the guys appreciate what I can bring to the team as well.

“I’ll be in and around at the club and try and do my best.”

The beloved ex-Magpie and 2023 premiership player was thankful for the widespread support he’s received.

“The support has been amazing, I’ve had a lot of very good, kind messages from a lot of people,” he said.

“Still obviously coming to terms with the injury. I like to think it’s just another football injury, but it is pretty unique, and taking it day-by-day, really.

“Just to think of what would’ve been at the time. I’m pretty thankful to be up and walking and talking as well.”

The 169-gamer crossed to the Demons ahead of this season after eight years at Collingwood.

He kicked 16 goals from 10 appearances in King’s side.