Geelong youngster Esava Ratugolea goes down with a suspected broken leg

Geelong's AFL clash with Carlton has been marred by an ugly leg injury to exciting youngster Esava Ratugolea.

The 19-year-old's right leg was trapped beneath him in a marking contest in the second quarter of the round 10 encounter at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats' medics were quickly on hand as they handed the youngster a pain relief whistle as the stretcher arrived.

According to Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd, the Cats are treating Ratugolea's injury as a suspected broken leg as opposed to a ACL tear, with potential damage to both his tibula and fibula.

Ratugolea, who has become a fan favourite early in his eight-game career, gave the thumbs up as he made his way off the ground.

Play was stopped for several minutes as medical staff tended to him before he was taken from the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital.