Mid-air collision that turned the tides in the Grand Final – and left one player crumpled on ground

Eagles and Magpies fly: The brutal mid-air bump that turned the tide in the Grand Final – and left one player crumpled on the ground

  • A mid-air collision could be the turning point in the AFL Grand Final 
  • The hit came after West Coast had conceded five straight opening goals
  • The Eagles then clawed their way back to a tie going into the fourth quarter
  • The MCG crowd, which is in excess of 100,000, cheered for the huge collision 

A brutal mid-air bump could be the turning point which saw West Coast claw themselves back into the Grand Final.

After conceding the first five goals of Saturday’s blockbuster, many fans thought the Eagles could have given up.

But a huge hit by undersized forward Liam Ryan left Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard crumpled on the ground, and the momentum in West Coast’s favour.

A huge mid-air collision could have shifted the momentum in West Coast’s favour

A two-goal deficit seemed much larger than it really was approaching half time, with Collingwood on a roll.

But Liam Ryan’s aggression might have sparked his side, as they fought their way back to an equal score at three-quarter time.

Ryan has been quiet apart from the hit, only registering seven disposals and one kick in the game.

But the hit sparked four goal third quarter, bringing West Coast back into the conversation.

Maynard appeared to be winded after the hit, before he slowly jogged off the ground.

Liam Ryan's hit on Collingwood's Brayden Maynard left him winded and crumpled (pictured)

Liam Ryan’s hit on Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard left him winded and crumpled (pictured)

The hit is deemed a legal hip-and-shoulder by umpires since Ryan didn’t catch Maynard high or in the back 

He was seen pushing Ryan and teammate Lewis Jetta as he made his way to the interchange.

The MCG crowd in excess of 100,000 roared at the hit, and booed Ryan when the two exchanged words.

West Coast went on to win the match 79-74. 

The hit is deemed a legal hip-and-shoulder, as Ryan didn't catch Maynard high or in the back

The hit is deemed a legal hip-and-shoulder, as Ryan didn’t catch Maynard high or in the back

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