CARLTON defender Liam Jones is set to be released from hospital on Sunday night after being knocked out in a sickening collision with Kangaroo Cameron Zurhaar in the Blues' 58-point loss on Sunday.
He has been cleared of any head or neck injuries.
The incident occurred as Jones ran back with the flight of the ball to hang onto a courageous mark deep in North Melbourne's forward 50 during the third term.
Jones and Zurhaar accidentally clashed heads in the process before the Blue landed hard on the Marvel Stadium surface, hitting his head on the turf.
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The 28-year-old remained motionless for some time and was stretchered from the field but had regained consciousness by that stage.
It is unclear whether Jones was unconscious from the contact with Zurhaar, or when his head slammed into the grass.
Liam Jones has been stretchered off and Cam Zurhaar is being treated on the bench after a heavy clash.#AFLBluesNorth pic.twitter.com/l3UHYE4nDB
— AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2019
Zurhaar was bloodied in the clash and received stitches, but returned to the ground soon after.
Carlton coach Brendon Bolton praised Jones's "amazing courage".
"He plays for the jumper and he has all year," Bolton told reporters afterwards.
Jonesy has undergone scans and has been cleared of any head or neck injuries.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) May 5, 2019
He will be discharged from hospital shortly. #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/AbhE1vBq7S
"You don't like seeing that in footy, but (he has) so much respect from his players and I'm sure Bluebaggers (fans) and myself and coaches alike, with how courageous he is the air.
"I haven't had a chance to speak with the doc at the moment, so I'm really hopeful he's OK. He's in the right place."
Cameron Zurhaar leaves the field after the incident. Picture: AFL Photos