A Carngham-Linton junior footballer is being monitored in a Melbourne hospital after a heavy bump left him badly injured on Saturday afternoon.
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Saints defender Nathan Achison was knocked down in the closing stages of the Central Highlands Football League under-18 clash with Hepburn at Snake Valley and was unable to get to his feet.
With scores locked together and Achison laying on the ground in the Burras' forward line, umpires were forced to stop play before ambulance workers were called.
Carngham-Linton president Greg Spratling said Achison was complaining of neck and back pain and paramedics eventually decided he needed to be flown to Melbourne.
On Sunday, Spratling said Achison was still sore and was awaiting results of scans to determine the extent of his injuries.
While feeling for his player, Spratling said there were no plans for the club to take the matter to an investigation.
"It was virtually just a footy incident to me, which resulted in a free kick downfield which was the fair outcome of it," he told The Courier.
"It just happened, (we are) certainly not going to take it further."
Spratling said he saw the incident at the time and again on a video that was recorded by a spectator at the ground.
Saturday's match was a see-sawing affair and eventually ended in a 7.3 (45) to 6.9 (45) draw.
Carngham-Linton had trailed by 17 points at the final change and even hit the lead in the last quarter before the result was eventually shared.
Isaac Hucker kicked four goals for the Saints, while Brody Benson and Ben Morcom-Knight were named the best players.
For Hepburn, Brody Thomas booted two majors and Kye Edwards and Ben Wood were rated the standouts.
Hepburn president Jason Dooley offered his best wishes to Achison.
"Hepburn Football Netball Club would like to pass on our very best wishes for a speedy recovery to the young player," he said.
"He was very brave and patient through the whole process.
"Also huge thanks to the trainers and staff from both clubs and Ambulance Victoria who all did an amazing job in trying circumstances."
Achison has been a long-time junior footballer with the Saints, playing right through the grades after starting in the under-12s.
Saturday's drawn match leaves Carngham-Linton and Hepburn still without a win this season and in eighth and 10th spots on the ladder respectively.
Next weekend, the Saints are booked to take on Springbank and the Burras are poised to battle Rokewood-Corindhap.
Nine home and away rounds are fixtured before finals.
