Injury Injuries 2026

[bigbulldog67]

Yeah I don’t see why lists have to be so in-flexible. I don’t see why clubs shouldn’t be able to sign players mid year if they’ve got the cap space. A development list sounds like a good idea, we need more talent across the board why restrict it

Yes it’s bypassing drafts, but these guys have all been overlooked by every club previously anyway so who cares. Although there’d have to be some plans in place like must have nominated for previous draft otherwise you could in theory see a situation where the number 1 pick skips the draft then gets signed up by ie Collingwood the following year, unlikely but possible.

If they’ve nominated and been overlooked through national draft, PSD & rookie draft then fair game to anyone to sign them IMO

Why so many restrictions?

 

[Snarls Barkley]

I am surprised that it didn't go back to the pre-COVID list sizes. However like the interchange bench it doesn't really matter what it is the clubs would still be clamouring for me. The Richmond situation despite being incredibly rare is probably a sign that they need to go back up

Half our issue is that we just refuse to cut from our list. Even when it's pretty obvious guys aren't going to cut it and aren't even suitable as depth, we still like to keep them on the list for 5,6,7+ years and then when they are called upon we pretend to be shocked that they aren't up to standard

 

[Doggy]

I am surprised that it didn't go back to the pre-COVID list sizes. However like the interchange bench it doesn't really matter what it is the clubs would still be clamouring for me. The Richmond situation despite being incredibly rare is probably a sign that they need to go back up

Half our issue is that we just refuse to cut from our list. Even when it's pretty obvious guys aren't going to cut it and aren't even suitable as depth, we still like to keep them on the list for 5,6,7+ years and then when they are called upon we pretend to be shocked that they aren't up to standard

Seems you're ready to replace those not up to it.

Dust off the boots.

 

[Sharkey66]

I am surprised that it didn't go back to the pre-COVID list sizes. However like the interchange bench it doesn't really matter what it is the clubs would still be clamouring for me. The Richmond situation despite being incredibly rare is probably a sign that they need to go back up

Half our issue is that we just refuse to cut from our list. Even when it's pretty obvious guys aren't going to cut it and aren't even suitable as depth, we still like to keep them on the list for 5,6,7+ years and then when they are called upon we pretend to be shocked that they aren't up to standard

Is it rare though
Richmond this year
Bombers last year
Us this year
West coast three or so years back
I recall the suns and the saints having times over the past few years where they were at the limit
As we are seeing with our own team with the players we have out it puts more pressure on semi fit players who would probably have a week off but have to play under duress
On list sizes, 23 players for the AFL side, 23 players for the VFL side = 46 players yet there are only 42 on the list. Not even enough to field two fully fit sides.
Add in 3 emergencies for the AFL side who may or may not play and list sizes are clearly not large enough.

 

[dogwatch]

The rookie list in its current form is entirely meaningless. Why can't we just have 44-46 main list spots, then give opportunity to VFL-aligned players on a needs basis?

I could see a system working where the rookie list is removed, and instead you're allowed to nominate up to 5 players from your affiliated team (let it be flexible so spots can be assigned throughout the year) that can play up when needed. To make it better for the players, they might receive an up front bonus of $10-20k if added to the list, then paid an overinflated match fee of $5-10k per game. This means if someone like CCP got called up to play say 5 games this year, in addition to his VFL salary he'd be getting an extra $50k+ from the AFL side.

Limiting it to your own affiliated side means you're not derailing the season for a side like Southport by stealing their players, and also means the player is more likely to be familiar with their side's game plan. I'd like to see some sort of meaning given to the "reserves" competition, i.e. bring in the reserves when required

Great idea.

Unfortunately you have just disqualified yourself from ever working for the AFL in a policy or planning role.

 

[BrisDog]

Great idea.

Unfortunately you have just disqualified yourself from ever working for the AFL in a policy or planning role.

Unfortunately Bald Headed Flog is not a Private School Flog.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Unfortunately Bald Headed Flog is not a Private School Flog.

How do you know?

 

[ossie_21]

How do you know?

BrisDog knows a flog when he sees one

 

[Sentinel]

5 players in 'Concussion Protocols' at the same time is ugly. At least a few of them might come out of the protocols during the week.

 

[DognBones]

You would think that the continued uncertainty about English's concussion issues would almost make certain our mid-season draft selection is a ruckman.

 

[Foxman98]

You would think that the continued uncertainty about English's concussion issues would almost make certain our mid-season draft selection a ruckman.

Depends what is available

 

[ossie_21]

View attachment 2621402

5 players in 'Concussion Protocols' at the same time is ugly. At least a few of them might come out of the protocols during the week.

How TF did Williams’ timeline get extended since last week

A huge miss for 2 months of footy

 

[DognBones]

How TF did Williams’ timeline get extended since last week

A huge miss for 2 months of footy

Perhaps too many medicos with too many diagnoses. Sounds like my ailments.

 

[dogwatch]

Does anyone know how many games in total our players have missed due to concussion protocols this season? Not counting the game they suffered the concussion.

And how this ranks vs other clubs.

Unless there’s been a club with a player out all season due to concussion (like we had with O’Driscoll) I’d be surprised if we don’t rank highest (most affected).

Now I’m not suggesting anything (yet) but I note the number of times some of our posters when watching other games have said “how the heck didn’t <player x> come off for a concussion test?” Usually with reference to one of that club’s star players. I think Nick Watson was the latest in that category.

If there’s anything in it those clubs are playing with fire. And the players are too.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Does anyone know how many games in total our players have missed due to concussion protocols this season? Not counting the game they suffered the concussion.

And how this ranks vs other clubs.

Unless there’s been a club with a player out all season due to concussion (like we had with O’Driscoll) I’d be surprised if we don’t rank highest (most affected).

Now I’m not suggesting anything (yet) but I note the number of times some of our posters when watching other games have said “how the heck didn’t <player x> come off for a concussion test?” Usually with reference to one of that club’s star players. I think Nick Watson was the latest in that category.

If there’s anything in it those clubs are playing with fire. And the players are too.

Or we could be spooked by the Picken lawsuit, and are being extra cautious. Don't think I have ever seen any injury list with more than a couple of people out with concussion. To have five at the same time is insane.

 

[TheScriptorWL]

Or we could be spooked by the Picken lawsuit, and are being extra cautious. Don't think I have ever seen any injury list with more than a couple of people out with concussion. To have five at the same time is insane.

Is anyone aware if Picken attended the 2016 reunion? If not, that is damning. And I don't really blame the club for reevaluating the protocol. Especially since studies show it takes a lot longer than 14 days to recover fully from any trauma to the head.

 

[Sentinel]

Is anyone aware if Picken attended the 2016 reunion? If not, that is damning. And I don't really blame the club for reevaluating the protocol. Especially since studies show it takes a lot longer than 14 days to recover fully from any trauma to the head.

He at least planned to: https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2002381/ex-dog-returns-with-no-regrets-for-2016-flag-reunion

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Is anyone aware if Picken attended the 2016 reunion? If not, that is damning. And I don't really blame the club for reevaluating the protocol. Especially since studies show it takes a lot longer than 14 days to recover fully from any trauma to the head.

I saw Picken lining up with the rest of the boys before the banner.

 

[bigbulldog67]

Does anyone know how many games in total our players have missed due to concussion protocols this season? Not counting the game they suffered the concussion.

And how this ranks vs other clubs.

Unless there’s been a club with a player out all season due to concussion (like we had with O’Driscoll) I’d be surprised if we don’t rank highest (most affected).

Now I’m not suggesting anything (yet) but I note the number of times some of our posters when watching other games have said “how the heck didn’t <player x> come off for a concussion test?” Usually with reference to one of that club’s star players. I think Nick Watson was the latest in that category.

If there’s anything in it those clubs are playing with fire. And the players are too.

We’re definitely more cautious than most, I can’t recall a single time one of our players has gone off with a hit and then come back on. Seems it’s the norm pretty much weekly everywhere else, especially when we play them anyway!

It’s an interesting one, definitely rather be over cautious anyway

 

[Testekill]

We’re definitely more cautious than most, I can’t recall a single time one of our players has gone off with a hit and then come back on. Seems it’s the norm pretty much weekly everywhere else, especially when we play them anyway!

It’s an interesting one, definitely rather be over cautious anyway

I always have a feeling that a lot of teams just have the doctors look the other way when it's a minor concussion whereas we're cautious about it..

 

[Ash1337]

I always have a feeling that a lot of teams just have the doctors look the other way when it's a minor concussion whereas we're cautious about it..

Well 3 of those players had prior concussions and all serious ones. Cleary's last year round 1 was a big collision. Libba had 2 within a month with delayed symptoms with his last concussion last year and English has spent a fair bit out preseason with symptons. Don't want to see any being forced to retire from them.

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

I’m hearing rumours that English and Libba might be forced to retire immediately… hope to god those rumours are untrue.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

I’m hearing rumours that English and Libba might be forced to retire immediately… hope to god those rumours are untrue.

If it was they would have done it before MSD

 

[Sentinel]

I’m hearing rumours that English and Libba might be forced to retire immediately… hope to god those rumours are untrue.

Unless its by their own decision, being forced into retirement would be only decided via the AFL's independent concussion panel. There's been no media reports of either being asked to front up to that panel as yet (as is usually the case), and doing so doesn't automatically mean they are retired but does open the possibility.