Out means Out

[blinddog]

AFL KO's concussed players returning to field | Herald Sun

The basic story is, if you are concussed you are out for the game. So does this mean that with the 3 man bench, a player like Jude Bolton, or any other hard, dive in at any consequence, type player a liability?

[liz]

It is bizarre that this is announced on the eve of a season, especially one where coaches are already expressing concerns over the impact of injuries on the already reduced interchange bench. Is this a not-so-subtle ploy by the AFL to ensure that substitutes are not used for tactical reasons but are kept in reserve right until the end of the game?

I predict we'll see a surge in players disappearing down into the rooms to have minor injuries seen to in private - ie so that the club doctors can assess in private whether it is safe for a player who has taken a bump to the head is safe to return to the ground. rather than making it obvious that they are being tested for possible concussion on the bench.

If the medical evidence is that players are at risk if they return to the field after suffering concussion (and clearly there are varying degrees of concussion) I don't have a problem with this. But if that is the way the AFL wants to go, surely they need to allow for a greater number of substitutes?

And if they really want to cap interchanges, why don't they just bleedin' well cap interchanges????

[aardvark]

And if they really want to cap interchanges, why don't they just bleedin' well cap interchanges????

That's far to sensible....they would have to find someone who could count.

[dimelb]

Has Mike Sheahan got an exclusive or has he jumped the gun?
AFL doctors looking at concussion issue

[royboy42]

Has Mike Sheahan got an exclusive or has he jumped the gun?
AFL doctors looking at concussion issue

It's become a bit fashionable to downplay Sheahan's effectiveness, especially on that Big site!

My opinion is that he has the best and most accurate info available in Victoria. He is so often right on the money.

So when this sort of question arises, I go for 'an exclusive'.

[Nico]

Has Mike Sheahan got an exclusive or has he jumped the gun?
AFL doctors looking at concussion issue

Mike Sheahan has always been the one to trot out AFL stuff and this goes back a few decades. He is clearly the go to man for AFL media releases.

[liz]

Unsurprisingly (since he appears to be one of - if not the - highest profile AFL medicos) Dr Gibbs is quoted widely in this piece on the AFL doctors' reaction to the new ruling.

Football's medical fraternity split on stricter concussion guidelines

[unconfuseme]

I wonder if the other five club doctors who object are all from clubs that have players who actually put their head over the ball as well?

It is a tricky one, you can never uderestimate the influence of the Auskicker Mums ... they must be respected!

[Kirkari]

Ridiculous rule. We can look forward to the lowest number of concussions in AFL history for the 2011 season.

[Primmy]

Kirky used to try to get back on when he was concussed.....because he didn't quite understand that this wasn't an option.

Last year we saw Peb and Jude concussed, and came back on, and they both took a few weeks to get their mojo back. I suppose its a case of telling a young bloke where he is at if concussed, and a case of expecting an experienced bloke to know, and that hasn't always been a good idea.

Its manadatory in most contact sports in other countries in the world, so......I am kind of for it.

[Untamed Snark]

That's far to sensible....they would have to find someone who could count.

Surely there is an ap for that.

[BSA5]

Ridiculous rule. We can look forward to the lowest number of concussions in AFL history for the 2011 season.

Goal achieved... at least, that's what the AFL will argue.