Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  2
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 16

Thread: Concussion

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Doglands
    Posts
    39,484
    Post Thanks / Like

    Concussion

    Having seen the challenges Liam Picken went through I think the Western Bulldog supporters would have a greater appreciation on the effect concussion can have a player not only on field but also off field. Paddy McCartin has also had a promising career stopped by the impacts of concussion and the same with former Bulldog Koby Stevens

    After reading about the legendary Graham "Polly" Farmer there has been a real focus on what the AFL should be doing in response to the concussion issue and many are calling for the banning of bumps and even tackling. I can see that the concussion tests are going to be ramped up by the AFL and Liam Picken suggested an extra player on the bench to specifically cover when players are being tested. I think that might have some merit.

    The Herald Sun is running with the following story

    Experts call for change

    Experts have called for wholesale changes to Australian rules, from banning the bump to altering junior training methods, in a bid to curtail the concussion scourge, linked to the death of Geelong great Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer.

    Graham “Polly’ Farmer’s bombshell CTE diagnosis has triggered calls for the bump to be banned and footy’s “fabric” to be changed forever.

    As concussion-stricken former high-flyer Shaun Smith warned there were “a thousand more Polly Farmers out there”, coaching legend Mark Williams led a push to stamp out dangerous hip-and-shoulders.

    And the American godfather of CTE research Chris Nowinski says there would be a dramatic reduction in future cases if all contact training drills were banned and juniors prevented from tackling until 15 years of age.

    The AFL last night said it had enforced tough new concussion guidelines for this season to address growing fears over player retirements forced by head knocks.

    But Greg Griffin, the lead lawyer behind a proposed Federal Court concussion damages claim against the league and its clubs, said the Farmer revelations were a litigation “game-changer”.

    “It is clear now that concussions that have not properly been handled by sporting bodies are killing people,” Griffin declared.

    The league has been hit by a spate of retirements because of concussion including Liam Picken, Matt Maguire, Sam Blease, Jack Frost, Justin Clarke, Patrick McCartin, Leigh Adams and Koby Stevens.

    Port Adelaide legend Williams was the man who called on the AFL to crack down on headhigh hits, which resulted in landmark tribunal penalties and a massive reduction in dangerous blows.

    He told the Herald Sun he believed the next step was banning the bumping of unsuspecting players given how dangerous sub-concussions and concussions were.

    “I don’t understand why we bump,” he said.

    “I remember when Byron Pickett got rubbed out for six weeks for a bump and I put it to everyone at that stage — why not eliminate bumps and just tackle.

    “When both players are going down to pick up the ball a collision is going to occur but not too many players get injured in that instance compared to others when you have the opportunity to tackle and you don’t. Change it and make it safer for players.”

    Ex-Demon Smith, 50, was “knocked out cold” 12-14 times during his 109-game career with Melbourne and North Melbourne on top of dozens of sub-*!concussive hits.

    He believes he is suffering from his own CTE symptoms.

    “I saw what Polly’s family said in the paper about him being angry and having mood swings … and I just went tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. “It was like reading about me. I felt sad for the Farmer family.”

    Ex-St Kilda and Brisbane hard man Matt Maguire, forced from the game from concussion, wondered whether he would want his children to play in the aggressive manner he did.

    “I was brought up to never take your eyes off the ball and if you do you are a coward,” he said.

    Dual Richmond premiership star Jack Riewoldt labelled the Farmer revelations as “scary”.

    “You don’t think straight when you have got a concussion. I look back on mine and it scares me a bit.”

    Top sports medico Peter Larkins said the only way to truly limit the incidence of concussion – in particular the asymptomatic subconcussive episodes – was to change “the fabric of the game” and make it less of a contact sport.

    “We’re known for our physical sport, we are known for our tackling, we are known for bumping – overseas people love to watch the game,” Dr Larkins said.

    “Perhaps we have been fooling ourselves, perhaps we need to be making the game less physical. I can’t believe I’m saying that, I love watching footy.

    Whether they even (need to) get tougher. It’s the fabric of the game that we are going to change a lot.”

    The AFL does not contribute a cent of its own funding to concussion research, with the $250,000 annual research funding coming from player fines.

    But AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh said that level of funding was appropriate.

    Concussion advocates like Peter Jess have called on the league to fund as much as $10 million a year for research into concussion diagnosis but also rehabilitation techniques for players battling the effects of recent concussions.

    Jess called on the AFL to begin “sensible negotiations about compensation for the approximate 6500 past players likely to be suffering long-term neurological damage”.

    “We knew from the science that it was only a matter of time before we would have confirmation that CTE was and is a product of AFL football,” Jess said.

    The league said in a statement it would “continue to invest in research to better identify and manage concussion”.

    “The AFL thanks the Farmer family for their important contribution to research in this area, which further enhances Mr Farmer’s legacy in Australian football,” it said.

    “The health and safety of all players in our game is paramount and as knowledge and understanding of concussion has increased, the AFL has strengthened match day protocols, changed the Laws of the Game to further discourage high contact and has improved the identification of potential concussive incidents through the use of video.”
    Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Doglands
    Posts
    39,484
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts
    Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,639
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Really serious and one that will only get more pronounced as there is greater attention on players post football, more mediums for stories to be told and better medical linkage between conditions and causes.

    Reading that article, it appears there is a concern at junior, amateur and AFL levels - and quite rightly so. I have stronger leniency for intense physicality at AFL level where athletes are professionally trained and rehabilitated but donÂ’t see that drastic a change to our game being applied to one level but not all.

    Personally, I donÂ’t mind the idea of banning the bump. Collisions when players are going for the ball - marks, stoppages, ground contests are fine as Williams says - but the notion of accidentally or deliberately lining a guy up without consideration of the ball could be a thing of days gone - increasing player safety with I think minimal impact on the enjoyment of watching.

    The teal impact a change like that would have is the impact it has on a players willingness to compete hard physically - though like everything else I imagine thereÂ’ll be a transition period and then itÂ’ll become the norm.

    Lastly, I do question how often removing bumps will prevent the big career ending injuries - eg Liam Picken - but can understand how itÂ’ll impact the number of bumps a player gets and hence the likelihood to incur damage over time.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Mulligan's Boogie-board
    Posts
    13,681
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    A while ago (when GPS trackers started producing useful data) the game was measured as getting ~1.5% faster per season (average player running speed). Players are bigger than in previous decades, so the force behind hits is going to be a lot greater as well.

    People these days go to the football to watch huge marks and amazing, low percentage goals rather than blokes belt the living snot out of each other. I think banning head high hits has been a huge success but not sure if they can ban head high contact altogether as some of the biggest hits these days seem tobe head-clases when players are attempting to mark or spoil.
    Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    5,048
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    When we look at this, we know it needs to change.

    The bump cannot be a choice instead of a tackle.

    Collisions will still occur as players go for the ball, but that should be the only way it occurs player on player.

    You also can't eliminate players colliding in mid-air or falling to the ground and concussing themselves in marking attempts.

    I also think the tackle needs modification, with frees paid against EVERY tackle that throws a player to the ground regardless of any impact. Tackle needs to be grab and hold ONLY, with more frees paid immediately to the tackler if the momentum is stopped and the ball retained, as that will actually protect the player tackled.

    It would aslo enhance the game by reducing the perpetual scimmage.
    Life is to be Enjoyed not Endured

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Wherever the dogs are playing
    Posts
    60,862
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Liam Picken has had alot to say on Twitter and has even called for a concussion substitute to come in. Lots of opinions on this as well, due to any injury and substitutes.

    Dr Peter Larkin also has a lot to say on the matter, and seems there is an on going debate on what should be the right path to take.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    27,890
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    I was concussed at school when I was just a kid. We were building a treehouse and a plank of wood I had placed up the tree fell out of the tree again and hit me on the head. I hadn't told my mum and she went off to work the next day not knowing that I'd been knocked unconscious the day before and I had a massive headache and nanna didn't send me to school but then mum got home I had to go to the hospital. It was bad enough to be admitted for 3 days-all the kids from my class came in to see me there..
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Doglands
    Posts
    39,484
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Quote Originally Posted by bornadog View Post
    Liam Picken has had alot to say on Twitter and has even called for a concussion substitute to come in. Lots of opinions on this as well, due to any injury and substitutes.

    Dr Peter Larkin also has a lot to say on the matter, and seems there is an on going debate on what should be the right path to take.
    I think Liam's suggestion is likely to happen
    Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    27,890
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Quote Originally Posted by GVGjr View Post
    I think Liam's suggestion is likely to happen
    That would be a good thing.

    A useful rule change, who'd have thunk that would happen!!!!
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Western Preston
    Posts
    2,123
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Quote Originally Posted by Twodogs View Post
    I was concussed at school when I was just a kid. We were building a treehouse and a plank of wood I had placed up the tree fell out of the tree again and hit me on the head. I hadn't told my mum and she went off to work the next day not knowing that I'd been knocked unconscious the day before and I had a massive headache and nanna didn't send me to school but then mum got home I had to go to the hospital. It was bad enough to be admitted for 3 days-all the kids from my class came in to see me there..
    Never a dull moment with you TD ��

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    27,890
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Quote Originally Posted by Murphy'sLore View Post
    Never a dull moment with you TD ��
    It's been an action packed life so far.
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Mulligan's Boogie-board
    Posts
    13,681
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Tim English might have played in Round 1 of the Marsh series if the 5 day protocol had not been introduced for this year. Ed Richards has been ruled out of the Round 2 Marsh series game so the stricter protocols are already having an impact.
    Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    6,624
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/af...3316a06374f987

    Sam Newman, being his predictable self, has called for 'Skepticism' on the diagnosis.

    “There is an element and modicum of truth in all these things and then they just get taken and made into cottage industries for people to exploit it for various reasons, they have vested interests in doing it,” Newman continued.

    “I’m not saying necessarily in this case but it’s just extraordinary that no one’s ever heard of this, it’s never been discussed before, the family has never mentioned this about vomiting into buckets after games.

    “I saw Graham Farmer and played with him after very gruelling and heavy games and he didn’t seem to suffer any ill effects necessarily. I wouldn’t like to argue with the doctors but I’d be sceptical about where all this is headed.”

    Seriously, the man can go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned.

  14. Likes Mofra liked this post
  15. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    10,593
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Quote Originally Posted by westdog54 View Post
    https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/af...3316a06374f987

    Sam Newman, being his predictable self, has called for 'Skepticism' on the diagnosis.

    “There is an element and modicum of truth in all these things and then they just get taken and made into cottage industries for people to exploit it for various reasons, they have vested interests in doing it,” Newman continued.

    “I’m not saying necessarily in this case but it’s just extraordinary that no one’s ever heard of this, it’s never been discussed before, the family has never mentioned this about vomiting into buckets after games.

    “I saw Graham Farmer and played with him after very gruelling and heavy games and he didn’t seem to suffer any ill effects necessarily. I wouldn’t like to argue with the doctors but I’d be sceptical about where all this is headed.”

    Seriously, the man can go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned.
    I actually thought that seeing Polly Farmer on the front page of the Herald Sun would specifically get Sam to shut up on this matter but guess that was too generous to think seeing it impact someone he cares about would make him sympathetic to others.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Doglands
    Posts
    39,484
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Concussion

    Just read that Daniel Venables from West Coast will sit the season out with concussion

    West Coast will be without Daniel Venables for the entire 2020 season.

    Venables is suffering from ongoing concussion symptoms and will be placed on the the club's long-term injury list.

    The 21-year-old is still feeling the effects of a head knock he sustained in Round 9 last year that ruled him out for the remainder of 2019.

    “We have recently consulted a specialist in Melbourne after a comprehensive rehabilitation period,” GM of Football Craig Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au.

    “Unfortunately, after much consideration and following the medical advice, we have decided that the best course is for Dan to have the season off and not play this year.


    “It is a decision that has not been taken lightly. Dan has put a lot of energy into getting himself ready to play as quickly as possible. It’s been frustrating for him, more particularly, and obviously the club.

    “He has thrown everything into the best rehab preparation in readiness for the season, but he’s still symptomatic at the moment.

    "Given the type of injury this is - being the head injury - the best course of action following the specialist’s advice is to have time out of the game.”

    Venables was a member of West Coast’s premiership side in 2018 and has played a total of 21 games.

    He comes out of contract at the end of the season.
    Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •