Brisbane Lions AFL skipper Jonathan Brown has undergone facial scans following a heavy training collision but the club says it’s too early to know if he will require surgery.
A club spokesman described reports that Brown would enter hospital on Wednesday night to undergo his third round of facial surgery in just 12 months as “speculation”.
He said while the champion full forward had undergone scans on Wednesday afternoon, it could be several hours before doctors are able to provide the club with a medical update.
Brown was knocked to the ground by team-mate Matt Maguire who was catapulted over his head in a contest during training.
After twice requiring facial surgery to repair extensive fractures and having his jaw re-wired in 2011, Brown’s latest head injury could be career-threatening if he has suffered further damage.
Brown’s manager, Peter Blucher, declined to comment on reports the star forward would undergo more surgery.
“When things like this happen, people are going to speculate, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to comment,” Blucher told AFL.com.au
A dazed Brown walked from the field at Coorparoo’s Giffin Park on Wednesday morning after his heavy collision with Maguire.
He was taken to hospital by the club’s medical coordinator Shane Lemcke for scans.
“It could be hours before we know any more because the doctor has appointments before he can look at the scans,” a Lions official told AAP.
Maguire, who was pencilled in to do a media conference after the training session, was too upset to comment.
Lions football manager Dean Warren did his best to play down concerns for Brown given his history of facial injuries saying the match-winner was “in good spirits and was talking fine”.
“It’s far too early to speculate what the injury is but we’ll send him off for precautionary scans because of his history,” Warren said.
“He’s fine. Disappointed he has to go for scans but, as I said, it’s too early to speculate for both him and us at the moment.”
Warren said there were no signs of concussion and Brown had not been knocked out.
Brown was sidelined for most of last season following two horrific collisions when playing against Fremantle (round one) and Geelong (round 17) which caused multiple facial fractures.
He had a number of plates inserted in his cheek and his jaw had to be reset.
Brown was already set to miss this weekend’s NAB Cup clash with Adelaide in Alice Springs after playing in round one against Gold Coast and Melbourne at Metricon Stadium.