Magpie Maynard reported after Demons’ Brayshaw KO’d

Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw has been knocked out less than 10 minutes into the their AFL qualifying final, with Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard reported for his high attempted smother on the midfielder.

Early in the first quarter at the MCG, Max Gawn handballed to Brayshaw out of the centre and the midfielder burst forward and kicked inside 50.

Maynard jumped forward in an attempted smother and collected Brayshaw high with his shoulder.

Brayden Maynard of the Magpies and Jack Viney of the Demons clash as Angus Brayshaw of the Demons leaves the field on a stretcher. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brayshaw was immediately out cold and required lengthy attention on the field before leaving the field on a stretcher and in a neck brace, while Maynard was reported for the high contact.

The Collingwood vice-captain will now nervously await match review officer Michael Christian’s assessment of the incident.

If Melbourne lose, Brayshaw, who was replaced by substitute Bailey Laurie, will be ruled out of their semi-final due to the AFL’s concussion protocols, which mandate a minimum 12-day break.

The 27-year-old has a lengthy concussion history and wears headgear.

Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney made a point of getting in Maynard’s face after the incident, pushing and shoving the defender and causing a brief scuffle.

Maynard was also booed by Melbourne fans whenever he came to the bench.

Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen could also come under scrutiny for a high elbow on Magpies forward Dan McStay later in the first quarter.