AFL: Jack Riewoldt suffers NASTY head knock for Richmond against Sydney during Gather Round

Jack Riewoldt was forced off on Friday night after suffering a nasty gash to his head during Richmond’s clash with Sydney.

The Tigers veteran was contesting an aerial ball when he collided with Swans star Hayden McLean, and immediately reached for his head with his right hand, knowing that he’d suffered an injury.

Blood was seen gushing from the forward’s face as he left the field at Adelaide Oval, as his concerned coach Damien Hardwick watched on.

‘He knew straightaway,’ Channel Seven’s Abbey Holmes said. ‘I heard it from here at ground level, a massive collision and he is straight to his feet and straight off.’ 

Riewoldt was patched up by the Tigers’ medical staff and returned to the pitch sporting a bandana, with fans lauding the 34-year-old’s courage. 

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But he couldn’t muster the strength to drag Richmond back into the game, as the Tigers suffered their third defeat on the bounce to lose to the Swans by 44 points at Adelaide Oval. 

The Swans led by 28 points early in the third term before the Tigers rallied to creep within six points.

But Sydney finished with a Papley-propelled flourish, booting the last five goals to secure a third win of the season.

Richmond are in strife with just a solitary win and a next-up date with flag fancies Melbourne.

Sydney’s Nick Blakey covered the loss of injured tall defenders Paddy McCartin and Tom McCartin with aplomb, collecting a team-high 29 disposals.

Chad Warner (26 disposals, one goal), backman Jake Lloyd (26 touches), Errol Gulden (25 possessions) were also prominent while all of Papley’s half-dozen strikes came in the second half.

Swan Joel Amartey kicked two first-quarter majors before straining a hamstring while teammate Isaac Heeney slotted two goals.