West Coast star Liam Ryan remarkably plays on after sickening head clash with Melbourne’s Trent Rivers
West Coast’s Liam Ryan has remarkably kept playing after a brutal head collision with Melbourne midfielder Trent Rivers at Marvel Stadium.
Ryan went to tackle Rivers midway through the second quarter and hit the deck immediately after their heads banged together.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Liam Ryan and Trent Rivers involved in nasty head clash.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
Fans were in shock as doctors rushed out onto the ground to attend Ryan.
The commentators were also concerned for the players, and suggested both players would take no further part in the game.
However, Ryan and Rivers remarkably both returned after passing their Head Injury Assessments (HIA).
“What an effort to be out there … It was a really nasty head clash,” Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood said in the third quarter.
Ryan had blood streaming from his face in what appeared to be a cut above the eye.
He returned with a bandage around his head, while Rivers was also sporting some tape around his head.
Both players played out the remainder of the game, which was easily won by Melbourne to the tune of 83 points.
After a scrappy first half, the Demons exploded in the third quarter with 10 goals as the margin ballooned out.
The heavy loss confirmed the wooden spoon for West Coast, who have won just one match for the season.
More to come …
