The AFL has altered their processes surrounding head knocks after a number of incidents over the weekend that resulted in one club being reprimanded.
Carlton, Brisbane and Adelaide were all issued “please explains” from the AFL over their handling of the league’s concussion protocols.
Star Blue Harry McKay, Lions co-captain Harris Andrews and Crows skipper Jordan Dawson all played on after suffering head knocks over the weekend.
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Andrews and Dawson were since placed into concussion protocols and ruled out this week, while McKay was cleared to play in Friday night’s clash against Port Adelaide.
McKay took a hit to the face in a marking contest with North Melbourne player Eddie Ford on Sunday, which left the Blues goal-kicker groggy.
The 26-year-old was slow to get to his feet but continued playing, kicking a goal before being called off the field for a head injury assessment.
He passed the test and returned to the action, adding a second goal late in the match to seal Carlton’s important 19-point victory at Marvel Stadium.
But the AFL have reprimanded the club for their handling of the incident.
Both club doctors were busy dealing with other injuries at the time of McKay’s knock, which meant they were delayed in reviewing the ARC message, which was a mandatory off-field assessment (including SCAT6).
“Whilst the club was in breach of protocols on account of the short delays in removing McKay from the field, the AFL acknowledges the club’s explanation predominantly on account of Carlton’s doctors dealing with multiple pre-existing and concurrent injuries,” the AFL said in a statement.
The AFL were satisfied with Adelaide’s handling of the Dawson incident, but they are continuing to investigate the Andrews knock.
Blues coach Michael Voss said they were expecting to be cleared by the AFL.
“We’ve certainly been asked to put a series of events together in the way that we saw it,” Voss said earlier on Thursday.
“We’ve been able to do that and (the AFL is) comfortable with where that lies, so we move on.
“We’re comfortable we followed the protocols that we needed to.”
As a result of the incident, the AFL have immediately strengthened their processes moving forward.
From this weekend, the club GM Football will now receive, in real time, the mandatory off-field assessment (including SCAT6) notifications from the ARC that the club doctors currently receive.
“This will assist in ensuring that the most serious incidents that require the immediate removal of the player for off-field assessment (including SCAT6) are appropriately prioritised and actioned,” the AFL said in a statement.
“For example, as occurred with Carlton on the weekend, if the club Doctor/s are occupied with another player/s when the ARC message requiring immediate removal of the player for off-field assessment is received, the club GM Football can manage and prioritise a doctor (or other club personnel) to get the relevant player off the field, minimising any potential delay in providing that player care and assessment.”