Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade and Hawthorn counterpart Alastair Clarkson are united in their view that the AFL has never been tougher.

Sunday's clash between their two clubs at Etihad Stadium provided good support for that stance.

Among numerous heavy clashes, Bulldogs defender Ryan Hargrave was ironed out by Hawks ruckman Brent Renouf in the opening minutes and needed to leave the ground for scans.

A more sickening collision occurred just before halftime, Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis courageously attempting to mark with the flight of the ball, with Jarrod Harbrow flying from the opposite direction and smashing into his head.

"We had (ruck coach) Damien Monkhorst sitting on the bench and he heard the Lewis collision from the bench and he said it was like a train wreck," Clarkson said.

"But the pace at which they play, having played the game in a much different era ... the speed at which they run and the possible collisions, the coaches are frightened in terms of the pace at which they can hit and the speed they go, it's just an unbelievably brutal and demanding game."

Remarkably, Lewis, who was knocked out cold and left the ground on a stretcher, returned in the final quarter.

While the AFL has worked hard in recent decades to clean up the game and wipe out behind-the-play hits, Eade said there was no doubt the pace of the modern game meant it demanded greater courage.

"Old-timers who say it's not tough like it used to be are kidding themselves, the game has never been tougher," he said.

"The way they will themselves into any contest, people say it's uncontested footy, that's only certain parts of it ... but the way players commit themselves to a contest.

"I've heard Leigh (Matthews) say it as well, who was probably the toughest player that might have played footy.

"Leigh said you've got to understand how hard these players are running at the footy consistently, there's nowhere to hide in the game now."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP