Berry copped the heavy knock early in the Rebels qualifying final clash with Geelong Falcons but played out the opening half before being taken to hospital. He spent two night in hospital with the club relieved their star midfielder avoided any lacerations to his kidney – which was initially feared.

As North Ballarat looks to keep its 2016 campaign alive against Oakleigh Chargers, Berry will watch on from the sidelines. The club will monitor his recovery in the coming weeks but stressed the importance of player welfare and a return to the field would be secondary to a safe recovery.

“We can’t know internally how he’s going to recover so I dare say there will be ongoing testing over the next couple of weeks to see how he’s going,” Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said.

“To our number one player on the list to 46 on the list, if there’s an element of doubt in the boys well-being - we won’t play the boys.”