AFLW: Fremantle, Hawthorn clash halted as Hawk stretchered off ground

Fremantle’s clash with Hawthorn has been forced to halt after a scary high knock saw a Hawks player stretchered from the field.

Play was delayed for around 10 minutes deep into the first term after a freak knock on the outer wing left Mackenzie Eardley motionless on the turf.

She was quickly surrounded by medical staff while a stretcher was run onto Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

After an assessment, she was carried from the ground to a light smattering of applause.

Hawthorn confirmed she had suffered a neck injury and would be taken to hospital for precautionary scans.

Eardley showed tremendous courage as the Hawks rebounded from defence, launching herself into the contest to prevent an easy Fremantle mark.

But she appeared to take a blow to the back of her neck and head as a result.

The incident was the lowlight of an otherwise bright opening stanza as Fremantle forward Tunisha Kikoak slotted a first-quarter major, just the second time the side has done so in a first term.

The Hawks also started well with three goals to quarter time with the tackle pressure high.