Concussion on agenda

THE AFL will meet with Liam Picken to discuss his plans for a concussion forum and a potential role on the league’s working group.

The league yesterday applauded Picken (pictured right) for talking about the concussions that ended his career.

Former Western Bulldogs forward

Picken wants to be involved in future projects that would help further safeguard AFL players.

“We commend Liam for telling his story. The AFL would welcome having further conversations with him,” an AFL spokesman said yesterday.

AFL stars such as Picken who donate their brains to research will also take part in cutting-edge trials that could reduce their concussion symptoms.

Picken’s pledge to donate his brain to science was yesterday welcomed by Alan Pearce, the Victorian research manager for Australia’s brain bank.

Since CTE was found in the brain of AFL legend Polly Farmer there have been a flood of inquiries to the brain bank’s website www.brainbank.org.au.

Pearce said footballers at all levels donating their brains for research would prove crucial in safeguarding sportspeople and understanding concussions and sub-concussions. But Pearce said players needed to sign up to the brain bank rather than provide empty promises.

Picken has already set in train moves to pass on his brain.

But many AFL stars have said publicly they would consider it without making concrete moves. The latest was Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, who said on Monday he would consider it as a comparative tool for concussion experts given his relative lack of concussions.