Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard is on report for high contact after knocking out Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw

A sickening collision in the AFL’s first qualifying final ended Angus Brayshaw’s night early and has placed Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard at risk of missing finals.

The Demons were running forward out of the middle when Brayshaw attempted to kick downfield.

Maynard left the ground in an attempt to block the kick, Brayshaw got the ball off and the Magpies player’s momentum carried him forward through the air.

Maynard’s shoulder collided with Brayshaw’s head. The Demons midfielder — who has had previous problems after several concussions, and has worn a helmet for several seasons — was laid flat on the ground without moving for a minute.

His furious teammates surrounded Maynard, as medical staff treated Brayshaw. The Collingwood player was put on report.

Brayshaw was eventually stretchered off the ground, giving a thumbs up to the crowd.

He was taken to the rooms, and almost immediately subbed out of the game for Bailey Laurie.

Melbourne players were particularly concerned for Angus Brayshaw given his previous history of concussions.(AAP: Joel Carrett)

At half-time, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin confirmed that Brayshaw was moving and talking in the rooms.

“He’s back, he’s talking to the group,” Goodwin told Channel Seven.

“It’s unfortunate obviously, being concussed, so he will be out for the rest of the game.”

Players from both sides converged for a melee, then play went on and there were further skirmishes as Jack Viney squared up to Maynard and the pair butted heads.

If the incident is ruled a football action, with no other option for Maynard, then the Magpies player would be likely to escape sanction.

However, if the match review officer, Michael Christian, rules that Maynard left the ground and hit Brayshaw high, leading to concussion, then Maynard could face a ban of two or more weeks, which would end his season.

The Demons are also at risk of losing a player to suspension.

In another first quarter incident, Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen hit Collingwood’s Dan McStay with a high elbow.

McStay went off the ground and was given a HIA assessment, but returned to play on.

Loading