COLLINGWOOD'S Tim Broomhead and Greater Western Sydney's Tom Scully were sent to hospital after a horror opening term at the MCG on Saturday.
Broomhead is to have surgery on Sunday on a broken leg he suffered in two places, while Scully joined him at the Epworth Hospital after a crunching tackle fractured his right ankle.
The Magpie will remain in hospital on Sunday night, while Scully will also have surgery on Sunday.
Chasing a loose ball towards goal, Broomhead attempted to kick the major before his left leg wrapped around the post, snapping in two places in a sickening blow.
Talking points: Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney
"It was a clean break of both of the tibia and the fibula, up high. He'll have surgery tomorrow," Pies coach Nathan Buckley said.
"It's terrible luck for a young bloke who's still trying to prove himself and still trying to make his way in the game.
"He got an opportunity, but you don't take the field thinking you're going to walk off like that. But unfortunately it's happened."
Broomhead was a late inclusion after forward Ben Reid failed to overcome a hip injury he carried from last week's loss to Hawthorn.
Dylan Shiel tries to console Tom Scully as the latter is stretchered off the MCG. Picture: AFL Photos
And with swingman Darcy Moore not taking any further part in the game after half-time with a hamstring, Collingwood's key position stocks have taken another blow.
"Darc was tight in the hammy and when it cooled down at half-time it was not right to continue," Buckley said.
"So we'll assess that when the dust settles, but when you don't finish the game you're in some doubt aren't you.
"He (Reid) very nearly got up. Clearly we had to pull him out late but we think he'll be right to go (next week against Carlton).
"Mason (Cox) will be available so we've got some decisions to make on how we structure up, but we'll have a few soldiers ready to come back in."
Further complicating matters, youngster Kayle Kirby was also taken to hospital after collapsing behind play in Collingwood's VFL practice match later on Saturday night.
Scully was rushed to hospital in the MCG's third ambulance of the day after his leg was trapped under a Callum Brown tackle.
With one ambulance required at the venue at all times, a second ambulance was rushed in as Broomhead waited to depart while Scully left in a third vehicle 20 minutes later as the second stayed for any further emergency.
"There's no doubt he's in a bit of strife," Giants coach Leon Cameron said of Scully post-game.
"The early talk was a fractured ankle and the way he come off, clearly he was in a lot of pain.
"I hope he's going to be OK, time will tell.
"I think he's at the Epworth at the moment getting checked out, which is disappointing because he worked so hard to get back over the last three or four weeks (after a knee injury)."
WATCH: Scully's ankle injury
Cameron said the Giants would take lessons from last year's injury crisis into how it can overcome Scully's loss.
"We found a way last year under some trying circumstances and we'll do the same thing again," he said.
"You can't replace Tom Scully because we know he's exceptional at two-way run and what he provides our footy team."
Jacob Hopper (groin) is one contender to return after a promising game in the reserves on Saturday, Ryan Griffen (ankle) is still "a few weeks away" after three quarters in the same game.
Cameron said late withdrawal Toby Greene would be fit to take on Sydney next week after missing with hamstring tightness.
Coming off a trip to Canberra and a six-day break, the Giants didn't want to take any risks with the small forward who was "95 per cent."