Rhino, Jude and those head knocks

[Blood]

Was thinking to myself shortly after the game "i don't think i've seen these two look so lethargic and out of sorts".

I mean, we're getting smashed at the centre clearances and these guys just happen to be getting less possies and their impact is well down ever since the Lions game. Not sure stats wise but that's the way it looks to me anyway.

Wonder if they are still feeling the effects of those head knocks/concussion? Surely our medical staff would know...

[old blood]

Was thinking to myself shortly after the game "i don't think i've seen these two look so lethargic and out of sorts".

I mean, we're getting smashed at the centre clearances and these guys just happen to be getting less possies and their impact is well down ever since the Lions game. Not sure stats wise but that's the way it looks to me anyway.

Wonder if they are still feeling the effects of those head knocks/concussion? Surely our medical staff would know...

You're absolutely spot on. You may remember Jordan Lewis saying a few weeks back that he regretted continuing to play after suffering concussion. I don't know if its too late to rest Ryan and Jude now, but I hope we don't make the same mistake with Kennedy.

[ernie koala]

Was thinking to myself shortly after the game "i don't think i've seen these two look so lethargic and out of sorts".

I mean, we're getting smashed at the centre clearances and these guys just happen to be getting less possies and their impact is well down ever since the Lions game. Not sure stats wise but that's the way it looks to me anyway.

Wonder if they are still feeling the effects of those head knocks/concussion? Surely our medical staff would know...

It's certainly no coincidence. From what I've read, heavy concussion in any high intensity sport, almost always results in below par performances in the following weeks. In the NFL players who are knocked out have atleast 1-2 weeks off mandatory, to recover. IMO They should of been rested.

[sWAns63]

Some of those midfielders need two weeks off between games

[Hartijon]

You're absolutely spot on. You may remember Jordan Lewis saying a few weeks back that he regretted continuing to play after suffering concussion. I don't know if its too late to rest Ryan and Jude now, but I hope we don't make the same mistake with Kennedy.

You worry about their form but what about their welfare? They must be seriously compromised to suffer such a form reversal. Quite irresponsible of the club to play them. Nothing quite as disgusting as Tadgh getting his shoulder popped in every week. Compare the Swans to Melbourne who rested their two young stars against Geelong. Smart work! Player welfare despite the money being paid,must come first.

[sWAns63]

It would work on two fronts rest a couple old nuts for a game who are getting battered each week and give youngsters some much needed game time

[Blood]

I alluded to their welfare when i mentioned the medical staff. It goes without saying that they should not be on the park if there is the slightest doubt over their fitness and health. And most on here were (rightly) calling for a sluggish craig Bolton to be rested - the week before his injury against the eagles. It's not like we want them playing at all costs. the whole thing makes me question the ability of our medical staff to be honest.

FWIW, if there is nothing physically wrong with ROK, i'd move him back into the half forward line and bring Rohan into the midfield. It'd give ROK a bit of a rest and our centre clearance work and midfield in general a major boost.

[Blood]

It would work on two fronts rest a couple old nuts for a game who are getting battered each week and give youngsters some much needed game time

Yes, a win-win of sorts.

But top priority is obviously their health and welfare.

[sWAns63]

I've always been of the opinion that you need to freshen players up for the team as well as their own health and to further extend their careers

[swansrock4eva]

It's certainly no coincidence. From what I've read, heavy concussion in any high intensity sport, almost always results in below par performances in the following weeks. In the NFL players who are knocked out have atleast 1-2 weeks off mandatory, to recover. IMO They should of been rested.

The biggest problem with any sort of head hit in contact ball-sport is that there is a) no scientific correlation between the size of the hit and the presence/severity/length of the concussion; b) no correlation between the initial severity of symptom presentation and length of time for duration of symptoms, and; c) no definitive test that can rule a player in or out at any time following a concussion. There is anecdotal evidence through one-off examples, but no actual medical evidence to back it up. Whether we like it or no, concussions are one of medicine's enigmas at this point in time. Without the science behind it, you're asking the medical staff to say "Ok you're not playing because you MIGHT still be affected" - while we currently see players going "In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have played on/the next game" but once you stop players who probably are ok from playing "just in case," you will start seeing players going "Yeah I could have played, but the docs said no. That might have been the 2-point difference in the match" and then we'd all be up in arms because the medicos stopped a fit player from playing. They're damned if they do, damned if they don't realy.

[sWAns63]

Surely the doc can order them to wear headgear as a precaution for one week if they don't then oust them for a week if they ditch the head gear during the game and get concussed again then enforce the week ban at least you're making some effort to protect the player.

[giant]

Was intending to start exactly this thread. 100% agree these boys have been well off the pace since the Brissie game. Who can recall ROK dropping as many marks as he did on the weekend? And Jude is tackling as passionately as ever but his decision making is just that little bit off, crucial to an inside mid. I think Jordan Lewis referred to just this after his huge hit earlier this year.

Would be very happy for the club to give them a few weeks to get their health together.

[Jesse Richards]

SECOND IMPACT SYNDROME: Sports Confront Consequences of Concussions - page 2 | USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education)

The American Academy of Neurology and the Brain Injury Association have issued recommendations for return to play. The guidelines divide concussions into three types:
Grade I: No loss of consciousness; transient confusion; mental status abnormalities last less than 15 minutes. The athlete may play again that day if symptoms resolve within 15 minutes.
Grade II: No loss of consciousness; transient confusion; mental status abnormalities last more than 15 minutes. The athlete can play again only after he or she has been symptom-free for a full week.
Grade III: Any loss of consciousness, either for brief seconds or prolonged. An athlete who is unconscious for just a few seconds can resume play after a full week of no symptoms. If the loss of consciousness lasts several minutes or more, the waiting period is at least two weeks.

[sWAns63]

Thanks for that, they should also probably take it easy at training during the week

[rojo]

SECOND IMPACT SYNDROME: Sports Confront Consequences of Concussions - page 2 | USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education)

The American Academy of Neurology and the Brain Injury Association have issued recommendations for return to play. The guidelines divide concussions into three types:
Grade I: No loss of consciousness; transient confusion; mental status abnormalities last less than 15 minutes. The athlete may play again that day if symptoms resolve within 15 minutes.
Grade II: No loss of consciousness; transient confusion; mental status abnormalities last more than 15 minutes. The athlete can play again only after he or she has been symptom-free for a full week.
Grade III: Any loss of consciousness, either for brief seconds or prolonged. An athlete who is unconscious for just a few seconds can resume play after a full week of no symptoms. If the loss of consciousness lasts several minutes or more, the waiting period is at least two weeks.

So, taking the above recommendations into account plus the AFL guidelines, it was perfectly okay for Jude to return to the field after his first knock to the head v. Brisbane, and perfectly okay for both he and ROK to play the next week after being concussed. Which means that it is purely co-incidental that Jude, ROK and also Jordan Lewis have not been playing to their previous form ever since!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a bit ironic for someone to now suggest Jude be dropped due to poor form, too slow, too old etc. Like everyone else, I hope they all get back to their best soon.