Petracca’s teammate Charlie Spargo also went to hospital post-match as a precaution after he could not speak following the game,with the medical staff wanting to ensure the damage to his larynx was minor.
There was positive news for Melbourne,however,after James Harmes escaped with a fine for his heavy collision with Sydney’s Jake Lloyd - an incident in which he was reported.
The Demon was fined $3000 after the AFL’s match review officer deemed the rough conduct offence was body contact,with medium impact and careless conduct.
Meanwhile,disappointed Melbourne skipper Max Gawn says no one is underestimating the challenge ahead as the Demons prepare to keep their premiership defence alive in the cut-throat semi-final against Brisbane.
The Demons beat the Lions by 64 points in round 15 at the MCG and by 58 points at the Gabba in the final round of the regular season. They beat them in last year’s qualifying final and have not lost to them at the MCG since 2012.
The Lions will also be attempting to break an 11-game losing streak at the MCG that dates back to 2014,and they have not won a final at the venue since the 2004 preliminary final.