Collingwood will be sweating over scans after rising young ruckman Oscar Steene went down with a non-contact knee injury during their loss to Sydney.
The 22-year-old’s left leg buckled under him as he ran towards a marking contest in the third quarter of the narrow defeat.
He immediately fell to the ground, holding his head in his hands before grabbing at his knee in pain.
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Oscar Steene down in pain. Fox Footy
Steene was helped from the ground by the Collingwood medical staff.
“This would be disastrous for the Pies,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.
Brisbane champion Alastair Lynch let out an audible groan upon seeing the replay, describing the incident as “devastating”.
“You don’t like the look of that, left knee, it collapsed inside, that doesn’t look good,” he said.
Oscar Steene helped from the ground. Fox Footy
Speaking on SEN radio’s coverage of the game, GWS captain Toby Greene said: “(The knee) just buckles. You worry there a lot. You hope it’s not the worst.”
Steene made his debut for the Magpies this season and has given them a different look in the ruck with his huge leap and athleticism.
Collingwood is already without reigning best and fairest ruckman Darcy Cameron with an ankle injury.
The injury also allowed Sydney ruckman, and former Pies star, Brodie Grundy to dominate the second half in the 11.15. (81) to 10.15. (75) victory.
Grundy did as he pleased and set the Swans up, amassing 33 disposals to go with 46 hit-outs and a goal.
He and star half back Nick Blakey had career nights, the defender finishing with 39 touches and 893 metres gained.
For Collingwood, they will rue their inaccuracy early in the match.
They kicked five of the first six goals of the match and were in full control across the first half.
But the Pies kicked 1.7 in the second quarter and failed to put Sydney away.
The Swans got the game back on their terms from there and the manic pressure that had got Collingwood ascending early dropped away. Small forward Tom Papley kicked two big goals to help separate the game.
Tom Papley of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal. via Getty Images
Nick Daicos had 27 disposals and kicked two early goals for the Pies, while Jordan De Goey finished with 29 touches himself.
Collingwood fans will be left wondering whether 432-gamer Scott Pendlebury might have made the difference in a game decided by six points; and just a fortnight after thinking similarly during their draw with Hawthorn.
Pendlebury will return from his rest next week as the Pies host West Coast at the MCG as the 38-year-old breaks the V/AFL games record.
Sydney meanwhile prepares for another huge clash, travelling to Geelong to face the Cats.