Simon Black recounts the preliminary final against North Melbourne in 1999 when he was taken out of the game early after a sickening blow to the face from Roos full-back Mick Martyn.

"I see him at the Grand Final each year. He apologises every year. It took him a few years, though. I was pretty dirty on him," Black said.

"Even today, if I look quickly to my left, it goes blurry really quickly. At the time I was concerned how my sight was actually going to be, and for quite a few weeks it wasn't great around the eye socket and cheekbone."

AFL.com.au