(Image: Getty/Instagram)

Liam Picken's wife Annie Nolan has posted a heartbreaking photo on Instagram after the Bulldogs star was knocked out.

Picken was crunched during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' loss to the Dockers, with Picken ruled out of the rest of the match with concussion.

As Nolan shared on Instagram on Saturday night, it brought their son Malachy to tears.

"This pic is one of a thousand reasons why this is more than a game to us," she wrote on Instagram.

"Knocks to the head will always be my most hated part of this sport 😔 Just a reminder to never take joy in the hurt/injury of opposition players (or anyone for that matter.) Not sure if Liam will run back out tonight but it was upsetting to witness what we just did."

Picken's family was watching the game back in Victoria.

"Thanks for the kind messages. Liam is in good hands and looking okay now but gosh I hate being on the other side of the country xx," she posted.