AFL gets tougher on head knocks

THE AFL says its tightened concussion protocols are the “most stringent of any sport in Australia” and it will be encouraging more past players to donate their brains for research so experts can “continue to learn”.

All AFL and AFLW players will have to be sidelined for a minimum of 12 days after suffering a concussion this year, up from only a six-day mandatory rest period in 2020.

The new policy means concussed players will miss at least one game but could miss more depending on scheduling.

The Australian Sports Brain Bank has warned a full recovery from concussion can take up to 30 days, but the AFL says it has acted on the best advice of its in-house medical officers. “We’re basing that on the advice of our chief medical officer and deputy chief medical officer,” AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon (pictured) said. “Where the AFL’s landed is probably the most stringent of any sport in Australia.

“The 12 days is a minimum, so it’s not like straight away everybody’s going to be ready to play after they’ve missed a game. The doctors will continue to assess the players like they have been doing. Ultimately the doctors make the call and it’s going to be based on the health and the welfare of the player.”

The tightened protocols come after former Richmond midfielder Shane Tuck became the third ex-player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, following Geelong great Graham “Polly” Farmer and St Kilda champion Danny Frawley.

A crippling neurological disease, CTE is linked to repeated head knocks and can only be diagnosed after death.

“What I’d say for the Farmer family, the Frawley family and the Tuck family is deepest sympathies for them but also to thank them for making the courageous decision to donate their brains to the Brain Bank because it just provides more information for us,” Dillon said.