Trio of AFL stars withdrawn with Origin injuries

In what looks to be a severe injury, Carlton superstar Jacob Weitering has gone down hard within the first term of State of Origin's return.

Entering a marking contest from behind, Weitering was caught underneath a falling Mitch Georgiades, sandwiched between he and the ground with high impact.

Umpires have halted play as Weitering is stretchered off the ground with suspected rib and shoulder damage.

Weitering has since been taken to hospital, however, Victorian coach Chris Scott has hopes that it isn't a serious concern.

"They've told us it's precautionary, let's hope that's the case," Scott told Channel Seven.

7News' Ryan Daniels has confirmed that it's a shoulder/rib injury for the Blue.

"The concern is for his shoulder and for his ribs, both of those areas," Daniels told Channel Seven.

"They spent a lot of time trying to get him off the ground. He was taken into the rooms, and they have decided they are going to take him to hospital.

"He has got into an ambulance, they took a lot of time and care getting him in there, and they have sent him to hospital for precautionary scans.

"It's the last thing you want to see in any game of footy."

This marks a major concern for the AFL Origin return, with the Carlton star looking in bad shape just weeks out from the home and away season.

In other Origin injury news, Port Adelaide star Mitch Georgiades and GWS star Sam Taylor have both been withdrawn from the contest at half time with reported hamstring awareness.

"There is another player that won't play any part in tonight's game. It is Mitch Georgiades, Port Adelaide star," Daniels confirmed.

"He has got hamstring awareness - he is also done for the night."

It was confirmed midway through the third term that Taylor would no longer take part.

"I've had confirmation from the WA crew that Sam Taylor is also out of the game with hamstring awareness," said Channel Seven's Abbey Holmes.

"It will be a watch on that in the week to come."

More to come.