Gold Coast defender Steven May is facing a certain AFL suspension after a brutal bump left Brisbane Lions’ ruckman Stefan Martin unconscious in the second quarter of the QClash.

With Martin chasing a bouncing ball in the centre square, May chose to bump and left the ground to do so, he made forceful contact with Martin’s head.

Martin lay motionless on the floor as the Lions players remonstrated with May, before Martin was stretchered off the field.

The Suns key defender sat out three matches last season following a rough conduct charge from this fixture, after high contact on Lions skipper Tom Rockliff.

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch called for the Match Review Panel to act accordingly to ensure such acts remain a rarity in the game.

Leppitsch pointed out that his Justin Clarke’s career was ended by concussion and said the AFL must protect players from receiving such blows.

“It looked like he overran the ball to do it,” Leppitsch said.

“I’m not here to hang anybody, but it’s up to the Match Review Panel to do their bit on that one. It ticked all the boxes.

“We’ve already lost a player to a career with concussion.

“It’s a very important (issue) in footy and one we’ve got to be very careful that we don’t contribute to it.

Suns coach Rodney Eade conceded it wasn’t a great look and suggested he will give May a dressing down over the incident.

Martin was able to recover enough to watch the match from the bench from midway through the third quarter.