Rebels' Ryan had come off the bench to assist the team, having already played for clubmates Outlaws earlier in the day, and was contesting for the ball shortly before the half-time break when trouble struck.

Following contact Ryan stayed down after feeling pain in his neck.

Play was stopped as he was taken to hospital, with the Rebels up 5-4-34 to 3-6-24.

Luckily for the Bushrangers man he was cleared of any injury.

The match was never resumed and the game was declared a draw.

"I'm still a bit sore but got the all clear from the hospital," he said.

"I was just going in for a contest, going for the ball on the ground. As I grabbed the ball I got hit from behind and then landed on my head, but was pushed over the top of my head as well.

"I remember laying there thinking 'This hurts a bit, I better not move'. I was too scared to move it in case anything was wrong.

"In the past when I've broken my legs the pain wasn't there originally and then it came later on so I was a bit hesitant."

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Prior to Ryan's injury the Rebels had got off to a flying start in the first quarter.

The hosts outscored the Tigers three goals to one for a 21 to eight lead at the break.

Tigers began to find their rhythm over the second quarter before the match was abandoned.

The result means Tigers retain their four point lead at the top of the ladder ahead of the Rebels but the Bathurst Giants now lie just two points off the Bushrangers in third.

Rebels will still take confidence away from the match despite the game being short.

"We were up by a little bit and thought we were playing well. I'd only came off the bench to help them since I'd played for the Outlaws earlier on," Ryan said.

"I came back later to drop my jersey off and heard it was a draw, which was a bit of a bummer."

As for when Ryan can get back onto the field?

"The hospital cleared me of any serious stuff and now I have a doctor's appointment to see what they want to do from here," he said.

Rebels will have a big meeting against the Giants this Saturday in a game that could go a long way towards determining the major semi-final contenders.

Tigers will maintain their lead thanks to the bye.