Melbourne coach Steven King says the club is still coming to grips with the fact Brody Mihocek was just millimetres away from disaster, but he doesn't blame Collingwood's Billy Frampton one bit.
Mihocek broke his neck after he was tackled to the ground by Frampton during Melbourne's eight-point win over the Magpies on Monday.
Play was stopped for 10 minutes while doctors carefully attended to Mihocek, with the former Magpie forward undergoing successful surgery after being taken to hospital.
Frampton initially received a three-match ban, which was overturned at the AFL Tribunal on Wednesday night after the panel deemed the tackle wasn't careless.
Mihocek was able to walk after the operation, but the 33-year-old has been ruled out for the rest of the season and faces an uncertain playing future.