Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe was taken to hospital after being flattened in a "sickening" clash with Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe in a nightmare outing for the Magpies.
Howe and Newcombe clashed heads in the contest, with the Collingwood defender laying motionless on the turf for several minutes before he was stretchered off the ground.
"He was non-responsive for a little while and we were all really worried about him," Collingwood football manager Charlie Gardiner told the Channel 7 at half-time.
"But once the doctors got him down into the rooms he was up and walking around.
"I don't think there are any other concerns (aside from concussion). They just want to rule everything out and take every precaution possible."
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The win ensures Hawthorn (14-7) will retain a spot in the top eight for at least another week, ahead of clashes with Melbourne and the third-placed Brisbane Lions to complete the home-and-away season.
Collingwood (15-6), once ladder leaders for 11 consecutive weeks, has now lost four of its past five outings and will be without Howe for at least one more match due to the AFL's concussion protocols.
Newcombe (28 disposals, seven clearances) was also groggy after the collision but passed a concussion test and returned to be one of his side's most important players.
"It's just part of the game, both committed," Newcombe told Channel 7 of his clash with Howe.
Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe was outstanding after returning to the field following his brutal clash with Howe. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)
After the dramatic start, Nick Watson's two early goals gave Hawthorn a narrow quarter-time advantage.
They took complete control in a scintillating second term, piling on 7.0 to 1.3 to lead by 39 points at the main break.
Newcombe importantly kicked the opening goal of the second half to reassert the Hawks' authority and they powered clear for a convincing win in front of 68,515 fans.
The margin gave Hawthorn's percentage a significant boost — from 117.6 to 121.2 — which could be important in a tight finals race.
Jack Gunston continued his outstanding season up forward for Hawthorn, kicking four goals to go second on the AFL's goalkicking chart. (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)
Hawks ruckman Lloyd Meek kicked three goals in an outstanding display, with Watson a constant threat in the forward-line and captain James Sicily important in a tight defensive unit.
Jack Gunston (four goals) and Mabior Chol (three) were dangerous, and Jack Ginnivan (27 disposals) was busy without hitting the scoreboard against his former club.
Collingwood's heavy defeat was a disappointing way for club great Steele Sidebottom to mark his 350-game milestone.
McRae apologises as top four fight looms
Magpies coach Craig McRae apologised to Collingwood fans and slammed his players' uncharacteristic lack of fight and effort.
The Magpies registered the lowest score and second-heaviest loss of McRae's four-year coaching tenure.
It was Collingwood's fourth loss from the past five outings, putting the club's top-four hopes in jeopardy.
McRae could not explain the horror showing and expressed disappointment that the Pies' worst display of the year came as club great Steele Sidebottom marked his 350-game milestone.
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"I apologise to our Magpie Army. That's a disappointing performance, you can't sugar-coat that," McRae said.
"We owe Steele Sidebottom way more than that too. He's a legend of the footy club.
"We're hurting. That one really hurt.
"It was just a lack of system and then a lack of fight and lack of effort, sometimes at the same time, which leaves us really vulnerable."
McRae said the incident with Howe had left some of his team shaken.
"It rocked us, it did, it was right in front of us (on the bench). It rocked us and it rocked some of our staff," McRae said.
"But I don't want to make excuses.
"We hope he's OK and hope his family's OK too. Those things aren't great when you're watching live."
Collingwood sat on top of the ladder for 11 consecutive weeks but could now slip as low as fourth by the end of the round.
They face a difficult interstate clash with new leaders Adelaide next week before meeting Melbourne to round out the home-and-away campaign.
"Judge us on our response. It'll create a headline but bring it on," McRae said.
"We've got to turn up, not just because we're going to Adelaide and who we're playing, it's just because that's what we want to do.
"We want to be a team that turns up every week."
Follow the live blog below for a recap of all of the action as it happened.
Sad to say that I think the Pies are done this year.
Somehow Luke Hodge on the TV broadcast thinks we're still a chance...
- Jeremy
Clive's got Fly McRae in his sights tonight
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By Chris De Silva
Well the Collingwood coach talks the talk but empty words just do not cut it. The huge potential exists for the Pies to be 5 on the ladder come finals. Looking at losses in 5 of the last 7 games ( or more if they lose to Melbourne).Interesting to hear from wonder coach. The spin will be very hollow this time around.
- Clive Nicholson
We've got our first Clive Bomba of the night folks, and he's REVVED up!
Tonight's confirmed attendance
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By Chris De Silva
Did they share the attendance? Keen to know on a Thursday
- Henry
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Sidebottom chaired off after 350th game
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By Chris De Silva
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A look at Collingwood's collapse of late
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By Chris De Silva
Craig McRae faces a big task to get Collingwood firing before this year's finals campaign. (Getty Images)
The Pies, who once had a 10-point lead at the top of the ladder, are in freefall at the moment.
Collingwood has now lost four of its last five matches to be dragged back into the pack.
It doesn't get easier next week with a trip to Adelaide to face the ladder-leading Crows.
Here's what Collingwood's last month has looked like:
Jack Gunston led the way for Hawthorn with four goals in the 64-point win over Collingwood. (Getty Images)
Absolutely imperious from Hawthorn at the MCG, and a big marker set out to the rest of the top eight.
This match was a must-win for the Hawks, and it's a massive test that they've passed with flying colours.
Right from the outset, when Watson snapped through the first goal of the night, the Hawks have bossed this game.
Collingwood did well to hang around in the first quarter, but then were completely blown off the park in the second and third quarters.
While it's all positive for the Hawks, on the other side of the ledger, tonight continues what's been a bit of a worrying trend for the Pies.
They looked strangely toothless going forward tonight, and a lot of their best players were not influential at all.
I wonder how much that Howe injury shook the Pies because they didn't have their usual ferocity for the contest out there from what I saw for much of the night.
To add insult to injury, Hawthorn fans mock Colllingwood's by unleashing a 'HAWWWWWTHORRNNNN' chant similar to how the Pies fans do when they're up and about.
Jai Newcombe led the way for the Hawks with 28 disposals, while the ageless Jack Gunston kicked another four goals.
Collingwood's leading ball-winner was Scott Pendlebury with 27 touches, while Steele Sidebottom registered 18 touches in his 350th game.
Gunston continues to cook the Pies backline
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By Chris De Silva
Jack Gunston says what preservation mode?!
Impey launches another one inside 50 and Jack Gunston gets out the back of a marking contest and snaps through his fourth goal of the night.
What a season this veteran is having!
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Five minutes to go at the MCG
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By Chris De Silva
Things have well and truly petered out here in this final quarter with the result well beyond doubt.
We're into the final five minutes and both teams are well and truly in preservation mode now.
What a night it's been for the Hawks. I don't think Sam Mitchell would've predicted this in his wildest dreams.
THE CHAMPS ARE HERE!
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By Chris De Silva
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Giddey's in the building!
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By Chris De Silva
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Chol has some fun with the crowd after another goal
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By Chris De Silva
Mabior Chol missed an absolute gimme set shot in the first term, but he's just kicked a beauty from a very tough angle.
Chol motions the crowd with the Michael Jordan shrug afterwards to basically say, "I do this".
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Membrey adds some respectability to the scoreboard
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By Chris De Silva
Tim Membrey drills a lovely set shot from a tough angle for Collingwood's first goal of the quarter.
This match might be gone, but there is still plenty to play for if you're the Pies.
Given how tight the top eight is, percentage is just as important as the four points for Collingwood.
They've dropped roughly six per cent already.
Worpel gets things started in the fourth
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By Chris De Silva
Another uncontested mark inside 50 for the Hawks, this time it's to James Worpel.
Worpel goes back and slots his first of the night, and this margin is out to 62 points.
The Hawks have 15 marks inside 50 to Collingwood's six, and honestly so many of them have been completely uncontested.
A big statement sent by the Hawks
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By Chris De Silva
Just shows what this Hawthorn side is capable of . If they fire it’s all over rover!
- Phillip
John's heading to bed guys
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By Chris De Silva
too many wobbles for a 4th qtr resurgence...I'm going to sleep myself Chris.....result looks reasonably clear
- John
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