Former AFL rising star Rhys Palmer remains in intensive care in hospital after a motorcycle crash in Perth's south but is expected to make a full recovery, according to his football club.

Key points: Rhys Palmer escaped head and spinal injury in the crash, Swan Districts says

Rhys Palmer escaped head and spinal injury in the crash, Swan Districts says The club says Palmer's liver was damaged and his spleen was removed

The club says Palmer's liver was damaged and his spleen was removed A witness wrote to Swan Districts praising Palmer's actions after the crash

Palmer, 30, was injured when his motorbike hit a car on the Canning Highway in Bicton around 7:00pm on Saturday night.

The former Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney and Carlton player underwent emergency surgery at Royal Perth Hospital, where he is still in a critical but stable condition.

His former GWS coach Leon Cameron has been among those sending well wishes on social media in the wake of the crash.

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Palmer's current WAFL team, Swan Districts Football Club, said he did not suffer any head or spinal injuries in the accident and was expected to recover fully.

But the club said his liver had been damaged and his spleen removed to stop internal bleeding.

"Rhys has been in and out of an induced coma which is helping his body recover from the significant trauma," Swan Districts said in a statement.

"He has been able to provide a limited but positive response to his father. His very close family have been by his side throughout the ordeal."

Palmer's actions after accident praised

Swan Districts chief executive Jess Dennis said Palmer had been praised for his behaviour in the wake of the crash.

"A witness at the accident has contacted the club to say that immediately after the accident, Rhys was more concerned for everyone else rather than himself, asking if everyone was alright," he said.

"This is testament to his character."

The club confirmed Palmer's female passenger did not suffer any serious injuries and said it believed the footballer was not at fault in the crash.

Palmer was drafted by the Dockers in 2007 and won the AFL's rising star award a year later.

Palmer was named the AFL's rising star in 2008 as the competition's best young player. ( Sarah Farnsworth: ABC Online )

He moved to GWS ahead of the 2012 season and played 69 games there over five seasons before being traded to Carlton, where he made just one appearance in two years.

Palmer returned to Perth in 2018, joining Swan Districts in the WAFL.

Crash follows shoe-throwing incident at Gloucester Park

The accident came 24 hours after a bizarre incident at the Gloucester Park racecourse, where Palmer and another man were condemned for throwing a shoe onto the track during a harness race.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 10 seconds 10 s A shoe is thrown onto the track at Gloucester Park

Prior to the motorcycle crash on Saturday night, Palmer took to social media to apologise for the incident, claiming it was a result of what he described as a light-hearted wrestle with a teammate.

He said the shoe was not deliberately thrown during the race, and it was "simply unfortunate timing".

Palmer now faces a life ban from all Australian horse tracks.

Swan Districts said it remained in close contact with his family in the wake of the crash.