The AFL has confirmed players would be sidelined for a minimum of 12 days after suffering a concussion, under stricter protocols for the upcoming women’s and men’s seasons.
Key points:
- Over the 12 days, players will be gradually reintroduced to training but may miss more time depending on symptoms
- Last year, players were only forced to sit out six days after a concussion
- The AFL is expecting to appoint someone as its “concussion lead” in the next few weeks
It means players will miss at least one match and possibly more depending on scheduling and symptoms.
Under the current return to play guidelines — strengthened prior to the 2020 season — there is a minimum six-day recovery period, which means players can often return to the field for the following game if they get the required medical clearance.
The changes follow revelations the late Richmond footballer Shane Tuck had a severe case of degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died last year, aged 38.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon says the new rules “are the most stringent concussion protocols in Australian sport”.
“The updated concussion guidelines represent a significant step in the AFL’s existing record of ongoing improvements to its concussion management strategy that reflect medical research and other learnings over time,” he said in a statement.
“The reality is we play a contact sport and there is always going to be risk, however over recent years we have continued to take action to strengthen match-day protocols and amend the Laws of the Game to discourage high contact.”
Mr Dillon said the AFL has created a new role that would focus on concussion and would announce the successful candidate for the position soon.
More to come.
