Scientists can now diagnose CTE while players are still alive - How will this affect the AFL?

[Seedsfan]

Except jockeys, car drivers and motorbike racers know the risk. It's pretty obvious.

Whereas we're still defining the risk, likelihood, consequences etc of CTE.

Plus half the reason it's become a concern in America is because of some relatively famous athletes who have been diagnosed with CTE on post-mortem after they've gone nuts and shot others, such as family etc. And because it's very likely having a big effect in high school kids.

Obvious why people and scientists care.

People have known for ever and a day you can get a brain injury from contact sports. Everyone who plays knows that they are putting their bodies at risk. Just let them play and don't keep ****ing with the game

 

[King Brown]

Has the AFL had a spate of former players killing themselves and asking their brain be donated to science?

The NFL have a very particular problem that has been spoken about for nearly 10 years.

 

[madmug]

People have known for ever and a day you can get a brain injury from contact sports. Everyone who plays knows that they are putting their bodies at risk. Just let them play and don't keep ******* with the game

If the AFL dont address this issue, the flipping lawyers will!!!
In other words, sort it out now or it'll cost the game a fortune.
Head in sand is not an option unless you're an idiot.

 

[Seedsfan]

If the AFL dont address this issue, the ruddy lawyers will!!!
In other words, sort it out now or it'll cost the game a fortune.
Head in sand is not an option unless you're an idiot.

Yeah we keep hearing that but it won't happen as players elect to put themselves in harms way

 

[madmug]

Yeah we keep hearing that but it won't happen as players elect to put themselves in harms way

Not if the rules penalise such behaviour & coaches continue to train players to win games, not fight against the rules & interpretations.

 

[Seedsfan]

Not if the rules penalise such behaviour & coaches continue to train players to win games, not fight against the rules & interpretations.

But how ever we change the rules players will still get injured

 

[calman]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/25/greg-williams-a-sad-example-of-the-price-of-playing-footy/

read about greg williams problems

 

[replicant]

I think so but I am not sure. If that is the case, would the Rugby codes be in more trouble as they would have more consistent knocks per game than in the AFL wouldn't they? Plus, as far as I know it doesn't even have to be a knock to the head, it can just be a hard enough hit so your brain sloshes about in your head.

Hear a radio interview with a guy in NZ who put accelerometers on players to measure the impacts. He said rugby players, particulalrly forwards, take tens of knocks per game which would be enough to cause long-term harm.

AFL i don't think is in the same league. People do get hit high, but nowhere near as hard and as often as in the rugby codes.

 

[GumbyRules1]

They need to review the games for tactics where the player is staging for a free kick in whatever form. Ie Ducking, raising the arm etc and give them a fine and/or suspension.

On SM-T530 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[DERIBERATE]

Is there much CTE data for former AFL players?

No.

The reason there's so much data for the NFL is because there's a dedicated brain bank and research unit where deceased footballers noggins are sent away for study.

 

[Seedsfan]

Hear a radio interview with a guy in NZ who put accelerometers on players to measure the impacts. He said rugby players, particulalrly forwards, take tens of knocks per game which would be enough to cause long-term harm.

AFL i don't think is in the same league. People do get hit high, but nowhere near as hard and as often as in the rugby codes.

Yeah so let's just do what that stupid academic in the U.K. Said ban tackling, scrums, rucks and mauls. You would never see another head injury in rugby

 

[replicant]

Yeah so let's just do what that stupid academic in the U.K. Said ban tackling, scrums, rucks and mauls. You would never see another head injury in rugby

I don't care, i'm just saying. All it needs is for players to be aware, be tested, and for them to sign away liability and play anyway.

 

[demondavey]

Which is why the Cotchin decision is so interesting.

If it wasn't GF week he wouldn't be playing. AFL are weak as piss.

 

[demondavey]

Who the hell cares? Seriously i am sick of this, jockeys die race car drivers die motorbike racers die during their sport but they know the risk when they get into it and now we have scientists trying to kill contact sports because of brain injuries. It's an absolute joke

No, it's about protecting the most vital organ the body has so that quality of life can be preserved. Unfortunately the mentality 'they know the risks' doesn't fly anymore, the AFL needs to protect its players from this in a world where litigation is rife. It's called a workplace, it isn't the VFL in 1965 where you worked a full time job then played footy as a hobby.

 

[demondavey]

Yeah so let's just do what that stupid academic in the U.K. Said ban tackling, scrums, rucks and mauls. You would never see another head injury in rugby

That 'stupid academic', yeah, makes sense.......

 

[Art Corvelay]

People have known for ever and a day you can get a brain injury from contact sports. Everyone who plays knows that they are putting their bodies at risk. Just let them play and don't keep ******* with the game

No, people accepted they might get a brain injury from one bad incident.
There is no way NFL players were aware of the high risk of getting CTE, particularly since everyone thought helmets made them safe. I'm surprised NHL hasn't come under the same scrutiny.

I don't think AFL players are as susceptible, but trying to stamp out head high hits is a good idea regardless.

 

[Seedsfan]

No, it's about protecting the most vital organ the body has so that quality of life can be preserved. Unfortunately the mentality 'they know the risks' doesn't fly anymore, the AFL needs to protect its players from this in a world where litigation is rife. It's called a workplace, it isn't the VFL in 1965 where you worked a full time job then played footy as a hobby.

Yeah there are what 150000 people playing and for less than 1% it is a workplace. If the players don't want to put them selves at rush they wouldn't play

 

[Seedsfan]

That 'stupid academic', yeah, makes sense.......

If you actually see what she proposed it would make sense like hours of research would have gone into it. Her first point is in a collision sport you are most likely to get injured in the collision aspect of the sport and that so it is safer and people don't get hurt we should do away with the collisions.

 

[madmug]

But how ever we change the rules players will still get injured

like with seat belts, speed limits & air bags, its about harm reduction.

I believe Footy is more about athletes running, jumping for the ball, good ball skills, kicking skills, body position & athleticism to take a mark, & team cohesion & tactics.

Why focus on head contact & injury. It damages individuals & the very existence of the game.

Lets focus on the great aspects of our game. Leave the body bashing to the Thugby games. They have a real problem. We will have too if we're not careful.

Skills, BRING BACK THE DROP KICK,

 

[Furn2]

The thing is that NFL players butt heads in the line every play as well as at training and CTE is more linked to 1000s of small sub-concussive knocks.

So there's every chance we won't see it much in the AFL.

 

[Seedsfan]

like with seat belts, speed limits & air bags, its about harm reduction.

I believe Footy is more about athletes running, jumping for the ball, good ball skills, kicking skills, body position & athleticism to take a mark, & team cohesion & tactics.

Why focus on head contact & injury. It damages individuals & the very existence of the game.

Lets focus on the great aspects of our game. Leave the body bashing to the Thugby games. They have a real problem. We will have too if we're not careful.

Skills, BRING BACK THE DROP KICK,

Winning the hard contest ball will always be a big part of the game so we will always have these injures. People need to stop ****ing with the game

 

[Farm Boy]

It sounds a little boring and very technical but I think this is the most important issue facing the AFL at the moment. If parents are told that there is a 9% chance that their teenage son or daughter will get a brain injury from playing Aussie Rules, I think you will find a lot of parents (a lot of parents) sending their kids to play safer sports.

I agree. I think it is also the most important issue in the AFL at present. It is frustrating to me that the AFL don't see CTE as an issue. I am a traditionalist, but even I can see that the game of Aussie Rules need to be drastically changed. Of all the issues the AFL has been faced with, its handling of CTE and collision prevention has been by far its worst issue - in terms of how it has been handled. Up there with the drug saga.

 

[estibador]

Winning the hard contest ball will always be a big part of the game so we will always have these injures. People need to stop ******* with the game

Settle down, no one's '****ing with the game'. Hits to the head have already been banned for a long time (except in prelims).

This is about providing players with the necessary info to make informed decisions about their long term welfare.

 

[Seedsfan]

Settle down, no one's '******* with the game'. Hits to the head have already been banned for a long time (except in prelims).

This is about providing players with the necessary info to make informed decisions about their long term welfare.

But the fact Cotchin should have gone from that shows how much the rules have been ****ed with. All he did was try and bump Shiel off the line of the ball so he could win the footy

 

[Power Raid]

Scientists may have found a way to diagnose CTE in football players while they're still alive
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-cte-biomarker-football-20170926-story.html


http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-cte-biomarker-football-20170926-story.html

Also for more information

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy

https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/25/...t-former-nfl-players-brains-study-head-trauma

CTE apparently affects a surprisingly large amount of College and Professional American Football Players. Apparently even 10% of school American Footballers have early signs of it but prior to this, it could only be confirmed, and the level of damage known during an autopsy. Now though, if this can be detected during life, and footballers can learn how much brain damage they might have at any point in their careers, what does this mean for the AFL?

What if a very good player in their early to mid 20's who is showing no signs of the injury but it is detected that they have CTE, and that it is only going to get worse. Now they are playing fine at the moment, no signs at all of the condition, but the tests say it is going to get worse, a lot worse, if they keep playing. Does the AFL forcibly retire this player?

and how do you think players themselves will react when they actually know how badly damaged their brain is or is becoming?

I am not surprised this has not made the main board but I think it is an issue that the AFL is going to be dealing with for a very long time.

from an insurance and OH&S point of view, there will be massive ramifications