MICHAEL Newton was today cleared of any serious neck injury after being released from Cairns Base Hospital this morning.
Newton was stretchered from the field during the third quarter of the Melbourne v Richmond NAB Challenge match last night at Cazaly Stadium after getting a knock to the head.
Newton said on his arrival back to Melbourne with team mates, “Flash (Aaron Davey) tackled a Richmond player and the ball fell free. I picked it up and next minute I was flat on my back with a sore neck. I think I collided with an oppositions head or shoulder but aren’t really sure.
“Daffy (Dr Andrew Daff) put the neck brace on as a precaution, but I was a little concerned that I may have done some serious damage because of the neck pain.
“Had some tests completed at the Cairns hospital and I was relieved when the results came through that I had no fractures. It’s very nerve racking when you’re just lying around in a hospital waiting for results on whether you have a fracture in your vertebrae or not.”
When asked if he’ll be available for next week’s NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs at Bendigo, Newton replied, “The Dr said if I’m pain free and can train later in the week, I’ll be considered.”
MELBOURNEfc club Doctor, Andrew Daff said, “We took all the precautions possible because he had a lot of neck pain.
“We are satisfied after x-rays and a CT scan that Michael has no neck bone damage and we will assess him again during the week.”
Newton was in good form prior to the incident, kicking 2.2 and looking very dangerous as the key forward for the demons.
Melbourne will look forward to the return of experienced players in the next two weeks in the lead-up to the home and away season. Melbourne fans can look forward to the sight of David Neitz, Jeff White, Cameron Bruce, Brock Mclean, Jared Rivers, Matthew Whelan, Paul Wheatley, Clint Bartram, Russell Robertson, Nathan Carroll, Mark Jamar, Ben Holland, Lynden Dunn, Chris Johnson, Simon Buckley, and James Frawley appearing in the NAB Challenge in the next fortnight.
Aaron Davey, Brent Moloney, and Ricky Petterd all got through their first hit-out for the season unscathed.
