Record-breaking Magpie in MRO trouble over tackle

Oliver Caffrey | July 10, 2026

Jack Crisp’s VFL/AFL record for consecutive games is in danger of ending as the Collingwood veteran faces a nervous wait over a tackle that concussed North Melbourne’s Tom Blamires.

After playing 279 games in a row, starting in round 18, 2014, when he played for Brisbane, Crisp could be suspended by match review officer Michael Christian.

The 32-year-old laid a tackle on Blamires early in the second quarter on Friday night at Marvel Stadium that led to his Kangaroos opponent hitting his head on the ground.

Blamires was later ruled out of the match and placed in the AFL’s mandatory 12-day concussion protocols.

Under the AFL’s bid to protect players from head injuries, any tackle that leads to a concussion generally results in a suspension for the offending person.

North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis was only returning from his own three-week ban following a heavy tackle that left West Coast’s Hamish Davis with concussion.

Crisp, who has played 291 AFL games, broke late Melbourne legend Jim Stynes’ long-standing consecutive games record of 244 in round eight last year when the Magpies played Geelong.

Blamires wasn’t the only player to suffer injury in the first half of North Melbourne’s long-awaited return to Friday night football.

Collingwood forward Lachie Schultz, who had kicked an important goal, limped off with an ankle injury in the second quarter.

After receiving treatment in the rooms, Schultz attempted to run on the sidelines, but immediately went to the back of the bench and will play no further part in the match.