Omnia   

AFLcountryTWO country football matches were called off on Saturday after players suffered suspected neck injuries.

An Ovens and Murray league blockbuster was cancelled in the second quarter after an ambulance was called to transport Albury player James McQuillan to hospital with concerns for his neck.

And the Heathcote District league clash between Elmore and Heathcote was also abandoned in the second quarter, after Heathcote coach Grant Ford copped a knock in play and hurt his neck.

Ovens and Murray general manager Aaron McGlynn said that under AFL Victoria rules, games were called off once more than 30 minutes elapsed without any play.

"Both teams had come together and made that decision, and as administrators we were happy to follow their lead," Mr McGlynn said.

McQuillan was injured six minutes into the second quarter of the grand final rematch with reigning premier Yarrawonga.

The match was deemed a draw as it was called off ­before halftime before a crowd of about 2500 at Albury Sports Ground.

Mr McGlynn was unsure of McQuillan's condition late on Saturday, but had expected to speak to Albury officials during the night.

"Obviously quite a bit of time can go by with these sorts of injuries before the ­diagnosis is clear," he said.

Heathcote District league secretary Trevor Arnel said Ford, who was wearing a ­helmet, was injured "in the general run of play" in the Round 1 game at Elmore.

"From my understanding, he was involved in a collision and went down, and he's hurt his neck,'' Mr Arnel said.

The match was called off about 10 minutes into the second term.

The incidents come just over a week after Newcastle Knights NRL player Alex McKinnon suffered a serious neck injury in a game against the Melbourne Storm.

There are fears McKinnon will never walk again after fracturing his C4 and C5 vertebrae after a tackle.

McKinnon remains in The Alfred hospital.

By Ros Lanigan

Article first appeared The Herald Sun, April 5, 2014