Christian Petracca tried to play on after suffering a rib injury, but eventually left the field. -AAP Image
Melbourne star Christian Petracca has been forced out of the King's Birthday clash with Collingwood after succumbing to a rib injury.
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Petracca copped a knee to the ribs from Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore in a marking contest just before quarter-time of Monday's match.
The explosive midfielder was prone on the MCG turf for several minutes, receiving medical assistance as players made their way to the quarter-time huddles.
Petracca eventually got to his feet but appeared in agony as he clutched the left side of his ribs and slowly made his way off the ground and straight into the Demons' rooms.
He had been one of Melbourne's better players to that point, with eight disposals.
Petracca surprisingly returned for the second quarter and attempted to battle through, but struggled to hit top speed and looked unwilling to kick the ball.
He added another five disposals, including four handballs, for the quarter but never looked himself.
Petracca was substituted off the ground for Jack Billings just before the start of the third quarter.
The Demons will now nervously await confirmation of the seriousness of Petracca's injury.
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