Demon Tomlinson hurts knee in AFL clash

There are fears that Melbourne defender Adam Tomlinson has suffered a serious knee injury in the early stages of his AFL side’s clash with North Melbourne.

Tomlinson clutched at his left knee, having injured it in innocuous fashion while corralling Tom Campbell.

Tomlinson called for assistance then was quickly substituted out of the contest.

The high-flying Demons are yet to confirm the extent of the injury in Hobart, but there are concerns that Tomlinson has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Broadcasters showed footage of a tearful Tomlinson, who left GWS to join the Demons after playing the 2019 grand final, being consoled by teammates on the bench.

The 27-year-old’s season will be over if scans confirm an ACL tear.

Tomlinson, whose versatility resulted in him playing all over the park for the Giants, has become a key cog in the Demons’ defence during their impressive start to 2021.

The backman was shifted onto Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins after teammate Steven May’s eye injury in round four, while he had the all-important job on veteran Jack Riewoldt during the Demons’ round-six win over Richmond.

Meanwhile, hard-nosed midfielder Jack Viney is expected to spend a couple of weeks on the sidelines because of his toe injury.

Viney was a late scratching from Sunday’s clash in Hobart, where Oskar Baker replaced him in the Demons’ side.