McKinnon suffered what his club described as a "devastating spinal injury" in a tackle involving McLean and Bromwich brothers Jesse and Kenny. McLean has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary over the dangerous throw although it is unclear when the matter will be heard.

McKinnon, described as a potential future Blues player by NSW coach Laurie Daley, suffered fractures of his C4 and C5 vertebrate and had emergency surgery to stabilise his neck. The full extent of the injury will not be known for some time.

Stone, the head coach of the Knights until Wayne Bennett joined the club, said officials were also sparing a thought for McLean's wellbeing.

"That's fair to say, I think it's a fairly innocuous tackle really," Stone said.

"It didn't come from a great height but obviously with three players involved in the tackle and Alex ducking his head when he landed, that's where the issue stems from.

"I feel for Jordan McLean and the boys involved in the tackle. We see plenty of those tackles every week in the NRL. It's a fairly freaky accident that doesn't happen in our game too much.

"I'd like to think everything will take it's due course in what happens to young Jordan.

"We understand accidents happen in our game and everyone involved doesn't want to see that, for sure. At this point in time I put it down to an accident that happens, one in a thousand."

Stone said the Knights were understandably shaken.

"We don't know exactly where Alex is going to finish," he said.

"Obviously he's in an induced coma at the moment, he's getting some more scans and possibly another operation. In the next couple of days we'll know a little bit more. He's in the best possible care and we're confident he's in the right place, he's surrounded by friends and family around him.

"It's hit everyone hard, everyone's a bit sombre. He's a terrific young fella, really loves his footy. It's one of those unfortunate incidents that can happen in our game, we don't get a lot of them and not a lot of spinal injuries.

"That's one of those freak accidents that does happen."

The NRL's chief operating officer, Jim Doyle, said the welfare of all players involved in the tackle was of paramount importance.

"Obviously our thoughts are with Alex and his family and our focus is very much on his welfare," Doyle said.

"We are obviously concerned about anyone who has been involved and our welfare guys are working with both Newcastle and Melbourne and all the players."

The injury comes at a time when there is already scrutiny on the safety aspects of the game after several rule changes, most notably changes to concussion protocols. Daley was adamant rugby league was a safe sport – "I allow my boy to play" – and said Country representative McKinnon was on his radar for future Origin selection.

"It's unfortunate Alex has been injured, nobody wants to see that happen," Daley said.

"I thought it was an accident, I don't think the kid meant to put him in that position. The focus should be on Alex and his family, about Alex making a full recovery, everyone thinking about that rather than whether this kid should get suspended or whether there should be rule changes."

Stone said the incident put Newcastle's off-field woes, and their 0-3 start to the season, into context.

"It puts everything in perspective," he said.

"The game we play and how healthy we are, being able to do what we love – seeing an accident like that really does put things in perspective. I'm sure the boys will keep that in the back of their mind and understand that."