Questions are being asked about the return of Carlton’s Mitch McGovern, whose head banged the ground with force during the Blues’ clash with GWS on Saturday.

The incident happened late in the first quarter at Marvel Stadium, when Darcy Jones tackled the 30-year-old defender.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mitch McGovern bangs head in Darcy Jones tackle.

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Jones pinned McGovern’s arms as McGovern’s head smashed into the surface.

He looked groggy after the incident and AFL great Tom Hawkins said McGovern appeared to be “uncomfortable” when he was in the huddle at quarter time.

McGovern had a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) test, which he passed.

Some fans immediately questioned the decision, hinting that a “delayed concussion’ was on the cards.

No one was questioning the professionalism of the doctors, merely the fact that the head contact looked concerning.

The fact that he passed the HIA is also helpful for Jones, who will now be under match review scrutiny.

If McGovern was concussed, Jones would have certainly been suspended for the next three matches.

“We saw in that first quarter a tackle (by Darcy Jones),” former Hawthorn star Ben Dixon said in the commentary.

“(McGovern’s) arms were pinned, and his head hit the ground. The doctors did assess the vision at quarter-time.

“I followed him after, he looked very groggy and then didn’t compete about a minute later in a contest in the forward line.

“So, the doctors have assessed it, they chatted to him at quarter-time, he is going to go on ... but no doubt there’ll be some monitoring of his second quarter.”

Four-time premiership hero Jordan Lewis said Jones was lucky.

“It all depends on the outcome, doesn’t it?” Lewis said.

“They’ve been out to him at quarter-time and asked him the relevant questions, so he’s gone back out to play, so I think plays a big part in terms of whether there is a suspension or an answer to be made.”

Hawkins said: “(McGovern) did look a little bit uncomfortable during the huddle at quarter-time there.

“You can only assume the fact that he is back out there and still competing, so looks like he’s passed the relevant tests.

“But if he hits his head and comes off, it’s a different story (for Jones).”

Interestingly, McGovern started the second half at full-forward.

McGovern is the younger brother of West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern.

Jeremy’s playing future currently hangs in the balance, with a panel of concussion experts about to determine his fate.

The 33-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a head knock in West Coast’s loss to Melbourne in Round 8.

There are fears he has played his AFL game.

The game between the Blues and GWS was neck and neck all day until the Giants ran away with a 28-point win.

Inspirational skipper Toby Greene, who was celebrating his 250th game, was best afield with 28 touches and three goals.