ESSENDON forward Jacob Townsend's night has ended early in the first term against Greater Western Sydney after a brutal collision with Giants defender Heath Shaw.
BOMBERS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats
Townsend was chasing a loose, bouncing ball in Essendon's attacking goalsquare but Shaw gathered the ball first and turned to protect himself as he took possession, crunching the Bomber in the process.
>> WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
He was taken straight from the field by trainers and headed down to the rooms for assessment, before returning to the interchange bench with a tracksuit top on before the end of the quarter, signalling his night was over.
Essendon coach John Worsfold said after the game he believed Townsend had suffered concussion and not any facial fractures, despite post-match vision that showed the forward gesturing towards his cheekbone while talking with Shaw.
Townsend will be assessed in the coming days but he is an unlikely starter for the Bombers' clash with Gold Coast next Wednesday at Metricon Stadium.
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Townsend left dazed after Shaw collision
Jacob Townsend's night appears over after he had to be helped from the ground following a big collision with Heath Shaw.
