Concussion Rule

[stugots]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

It won't be the AFL who will be part of a lawsuit. It will be the club, including and especially the one who made the call that the player wasn't concussed. It seems that the AFL want to avoid the Jordan Lewis scenario repeating.

Fair to say it might be in his long-term interests?

not true - baring out & out incompetence from the ambulance chasers, the AFL will certainly be part of any lawsuits - I hope this rule introduction is done with player welfare the priority but the cynic in me says that this change is probably prompted by legal advice

 

[loki04]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Good move by the AFL. Players welfare should be the number 1 priority.

People are dreaming if they think that clubs will lie by giving concussed players the all clear. They too will have their players best interests at heart and they would not risk a potential lawsuit.

AFL is a nanny competition, sure look after the players but it was a mans game and we all know the risks when running out there.

Teams don't put concussed players back out there unless they clear a safety check.

Competition is becoming a farce.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

No more Andy Collins miracles (~3:30 onwards)

[youtube]1QrE3N5xkr0[/youtube]

 

[PieNSauce]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Whilst I am a bit wary of the AFL's cynicism at times and I dislike a lot of their knee-jerk rule changes this is one which I believe is overdue if a little underdone in the area of independant medical assessment. This is clearly a rule which will protect players even if the AFL's intention is to protect themselves and they should be applauded for it. I am inclined to call this rule the Selwood rule as it will probably force players to have a little more regard for their own safety in regard to head high contact. In fact, I have to admit that I am now beginning to view the league's intention of slowing down the game in a slightly different light following some investigation into the dangers of concussion injury and the recent speeding up of the game due to increased rotations.

Whether we like it or not our game has become faster and a recent study found that player speed had increased significantly. It was not that long ago that players had to miss a week if they were concussed so the new rule is fairly innocuous by comparison. There is at the same time compelling evidence coming out of the USA that the effects of concussion on the brain in NFL and NHL players are far worse than previously thought and studies of retired players show alarmingly high rates of brain degradation in the form of dementia and other disabilities. If we don't act now to limit the possibility for latent brain injury, we will condemn our star players to similar outcomes in their retirement and I for one cannot justify such a cost purely for my pleasure of watching a fast paced sport.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Whilst I am a bit wary of the AFL's cynicism at times and I dislike a lot of their knee-jerk rule changes this is one which I believe is overdue if a little underdone in the area of independant medical assessment. This is clearly a rule which will protect players even if the AFL's intention is to protect themselves and they should be applauded for it. I am inclined to call this rule the Selwood rule as it will probably force players to have a little more regard for their own safety in regard to head high contact. In fact, I have to admit that I am now beginning to view the league's intention of slowing down the game in a slightly different light following some investigation into the dangers of concussion injury and the recent speeding up of the game due to increased rotations.

Whether we like it or not our game has become faster and a recent study found that player speed had increased significantly. It was not that long ago that players had to miss a week if they were concussed so the new rule is fairly innocuous by comparison. There is at the same time compelling evidence coming out of the USA that the effects of concussion on the brain in NFL and NHL players are far worse than previously thought and studies of retired players show alarmingly high rates of brain degradation in the form of dementia and other disabilities. If we don't act now to limit the possibility for latent brain injury, we will condemn our star players to similar outcomes in their retirement and I for one cannot justify such a cost purely for my pleasure of watching a fast paced sport.

Dont the problems in the NFL and NHL partiallly relate to the wearing of helmets and in the NFL in particular the smashing of those helmets together repeatadley which has now forced the NFL to bring in rules related to leading with the helmet and deliberately smashing helmets together.

 

[legend166]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Good decision by the AFL.

Anyone who's done even the slightest research into the long term effects of concussion should be appluading this.

As an example - everyone knows the case of Chris Benoit, right? The wrestler who seemingly went insane, murdered his family and committed suicide? Remember how everyone was blaming it on the steroids? They examined his brain, and fouind he had Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease that occurs from multiple concussions.

This is serious stuff.

 

[legend166]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Dont the problems in the NFL and NHL partiallly relate to the wearing of helmets and in the NFL in particular the smashing of those helmets together repeatadley which has now forced the NFL to bring in rules related to leading with the helmet and deliberately smashing helmets together.

Well, that's a reason why concussions are prevalent in the NFL, but at the end of the day it still comes down to simply having a concussion.

 

[PieNSauce]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Dont the problems in the NFL and NHL partiallly relate to the wearing of helmets and in the NFL in particular the smashing of those helmets together repeatadley which has now forced the NFL to bring in rules related to leading with the helmet and deliberately smashing helmets together.

It's true to say that the wearing of helmets has (anecdotally at least) led to increased issues but that doesn't mean similar problems can't occur without them if a little less likely. To me that's why I raise the issue of someone like Joel Selwood. Joel has clearly become very adept at drawing high contact and whilst that may benefit his team on many occasions, the danger is that it will ultimately lead to serious injury. To me the rules will now have the potential effect of making players think twice before intentionally drawing this high contact if the potential is that they will be subbed out of the game. It's not a great solution in that case but at least it's a step in the right direction.

 

[ImaLetUFinish]

This will just increase the incentive for knocking opposition players out.

 

[Father Jack]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

not true - baring out & out incompetence from the ambulance chasers, the AFL will certainly be part of any lawsuits - I hope this rule introduction is done with player welfare the priority but the cynic in me says that this change is probably prompted by legal advice

For a concussed player to go back on the field a club/player would have to explicitly go against AFL rules. The AFL will have a rock-solid defence in that they took reasonable measures to prevent concussed players returning.

Also, if you don't sub off a fit player then it doesn't matter how many concussions you get, you won't be worse off under this sub rule then you were last year.

And, are concussions really that common? How often do they occur? Enough to be a problem, yes, but I doubt you'll see two and three a game.

 

[Amber Guzzler]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

It's all fallout from the issues in the US with concussions in the NFL and NHL. Thing is, shouldn't the AFL, after making quite a significant change, add a second substitute? This rule is going to result in a lot more players being unable to return, and is going to force coaches to at some point put injured guys back on the field.

Given the nature of the game, I think that any time the AFL says "you can't put that player back on the ground", they should allow you to replace them with another.

 

[stugots]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

For a concussed player to go back on the field a club/player would have to explicitly go against AFL rules. The AFL will have a rock-solid defence in that they took reasonable measures to prevent concussed players returning.

Also, if you don't sub off a fit player then it doesn't matter how many concussions you get, you won't be worse off under this sub rule then you were last year.

And, are concussions really that common? How often do they occur? Enough to be a problem, yes, but I doubt you'll see two and three a game.

the damage is being done within teh AFL workplace, there is no way they can avoid the fallout from future legal actions

 

[_Mike_]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

On the flip side, its dangerous to a further extent because the AFL has now declared that once concussed the player is removed from the remainder of the game.

How many clubs will try to exploit this on opposition playmakers?

i.e. knock out Ablett and the Suns fold.. Knock out Judd, and Carlton fold (the game)

We dont want to see stuff like this (below) happen as a means of exploiting the rules and having players deliberately taken out of the game. The AFL and Demetriou need to be very clear about the message their sending.

Harbrow vs Lewis

[youtube]lNAWvhfBlNo[/youtube]

Whilst Harbrow's actions were not deemed deliberate, it was collision at head hight that took out Lewis (who later returned to the game). Whilst we like to believe that there are morales, the stakes are high and this could have a further negative impact on the game.

Leave things as they are.. Let the club doctors make that call as they are medically qualified to do so. If a player is so badly concussed that they cant stand, make the club doctor accountable for any further decision to play, but dont introduce another mechanism that could be exploited

 

[Father Jack]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

the damage is being done within teh AFL workplace, there is no way they can avoid the fallout from future legal actions

Yes there is, by taking reasonable steps to prevent any foreseeable damage. They have banned concussed players from returning to the field. They have taken reasonable steps to enforce this as club doctors have the training to recognise concussion and are beholden by medical ethics if nothing else to not send players back on.

There is a risk for concussion, the players know this and accept that risk when they step on the field. The AFL have now limited any potential damage from this by implementing rules to prevent players returning to the field if already concussed.

What more can they reasonably do?

 

[Pessimistic]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

I think now the AFL have adopted a policy where a player is a substitute, they are aknowledgeing injuries, and will have to eventually supply enough substitutes.

Look at soccer - only 11 on the field but nearly as many on the sidelines - for what seems to be a less dangerous sport

How many subs in NFL ?


PS for high profile incidents - look no further than 2008 grand final and the geelong skipper Harley. His absence probably made a huge difference for the cats

 

[The Falcon Strike]

I'm assuming this has been bumped as a result of this article

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...turning-to-field/story-e6frf9jf-1226025689693

THE AFL is to ban concussed players from returning to the field of play.

It will announce much stricter controls as early as today, to be effective from Round 1.

The new legislation will outlaw concussed players from any further part in games in which they have been injured, regardless of whether they successfully complete the traditional response test, or how long they have spent on the bench.

 

[Father Jack]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

'enough substitutes' might mean four subs. and no interchange.

 

[jonesy86]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Didn't Riewoldt suffer a slight concussion early in the Prelim last year when Kosi crashed into him on the boundary?

 

[jerry springer]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

The afl rules committee has been concussed for the past 10 years and shouldn't be allowed back on

 

[Corpuscles]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

It has staggered me that in the past all teams are required? or nominate 3 emergency team selections with at least one usually young fringe player missing a game that round.

The AFL simply have not thought through the introduction of their sub rule properly.

The prospect of many of the teams in soon 9 games per round having a dressed ready player only getting a part last qtr run indicates AFL are desperately belatedly trying to justify more regular use of the mandatory sub for a injury reason.

But it is about time they mandated that an independant Dr ruled a concussed player out of the game. Good!

 

[Pessimistic]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

My thought was that a subs should be allowed in rotations early in the game, but put on the subs bench later in the game.

Links up to the fact that a team having less rotation players due to injury suffere more in comaprison to the other team later in the game. its not an issue early.

Perhaps have 5 on the bench, with 2 taken out of rotations for the second half.
Thes two are available for a substitution for injury in the second half

Would give the guys a half of footy per week

 

[Father Jack]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

The AFL wanted to simplify the subs as much as possible (hence avoiding straight out interchange caps), not needlessly complicate it.

 

[PieNSauce]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

My thought was that a subs should be allowed in rotations early in the game, but put on the subs bench later in the game.

Links up to the fact that a team having less rotation players due to injury suffere more in comaprison to the other team later in the game. its not an issue early.

Perhaps have 5 on the bench, with 2 taken out of rotations for the second half.
Thes two are available for a substitution for injury in the second half

Would give the guys a half of footy per week

The reason that and probably anything resembling it probably won't happen is because it ignores the AFL's stated reason for introducing the substitute rule. The AFL believes that the speed of the game has increased because of high rotations and the ability of players to therefore get to more contests. Their belief is that this has the potential to increase the incidence of high impact collisions and therefore concussion type injuries. Their apparent thinking is that if you can reduce rotations then you will reduce the ability of players to get to those contests and they believe they can achieve that by reducing the number of interchanges.

I personally dislike the concept of the sub since I believe it makes more sense to simply legislate to reduce rotations but it's clear they don't want to do that at this stage so you can be pretty sure they won't be increasing the number of subs without reducing the number of interchange players.

 

[Morris Major]

Some players have said that they can memorise how to complete the test even though they haven't fully recovered from the concession, correct? This new rule wouldn't be such a bad idea if so.

One of the better rules to come from the AFL

 

[stugots]

Re: Now the AFL decides to change rules 3 days before round 1

Yes there is, by taking reasonable steps to prevent any foreseeable damage. They have banned concussed players from returning to the field. They have taken reasonable steps to enforce this as club doctors have the training to recognise concussion and are beholden by medical ethics if nothing else to not send players back on.

There is a risk for concussion, the players know this and accept that risk when they step on the field. The AFL have now limited any potential damage from this by implementing rules to prevent players returning to the field if already concussed.

What more can they reasonably do?

'innocent' (for want of a better word) parties are dragged into lawsuits all the time - for most litigators it is simply a matter of 'following the money' - so the docs got some, the clubs got some, the AFL is drowning in it.

certainly this rule will work in the AFL's favour in the future but implementing the rule now is not the equivalent of waving a magic wand & exempting them from liability, it may well help to reduce said liability but i wouldnt be counting on it.