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 forward Jacob Townsend is helped from the field against GWS. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

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. 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:17

    Worsfold: 'We couldn't maintain that pressure on them'

    Watch Essendon's press conference after their round 10 match against GWS

    AFL
  • 08:06

    Cameron: 'Our midfield … I thought they dug in'

    Watch GWS's press conference after their round 10 match against Essendon

    AFL
  • 07:55

    Highlights: Essendon v GWS

    The Bombers and Giants clash in round 10

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Giants hit the front with slick transition from defence

    Jeremy Cameron puts GWS in the lead for the first time since the first quarter after some impressive running play from the Giants

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Undisciplined McKenna gifts Giants a goal

    Heath Shaw slots his second of the night after a silly 50m penalty from Conor McKenna left him with a simple conversion from inside the arc

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Phil Davis comes from the ground with knee issue

    Concern in the Giants camp for Phil Davis after he appears to hurt his knee in a marking contest

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Big Don Draper celebrates first goal like a mad man

    Young Essendon ruck Sam Draper slots the first goal of his career then goes absolutely nuts

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Shiel roosts one home from centre square

    The Bombers have their fifth straight goal in the second half courtesy of a massive Dylan Shiel bomb from the centre square.

    AFL
  • 00:23

    'Guys, the game has started': Giants break drought

    After a goalless opening quarter, it took less than a minute into the second quarter for Stephen Coniglio to register the first major of the game.

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Mummy sits Merrett on his backside

    Zach Merrett may have dodged a bullet after copping a Shane Mumford shirt-front and walking away unscathed

    AFL
  • 00:33

    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.

    AFL

IN AFL ON DEMAND NOW