injuryupdate
25-08-2006, 03:29 PM
See report below from Foxsports:
AFL to stamp out head-high contact
By Jim Wilson
August 25, 2006 THE AFL is set to crack down on head-high contact and will consider tougher sanctions and even rule changes to stamp out the problem.
A report has been compiled by a group of AFL medical experts including Geelong doctor Hugh Seward.
The recommendations have been given to AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson who is expected to publically outline the report next week.
Anderson was unavailable for comment last night.
AFL medical staff ate understoof to be increasingly concerned both about injuries to players with their heads over the ball and about contact from opposition players.
The AFL fears head- and neck-related injuries could damage the image of the game.
Numerous examples of crude head-high contact are understoof to have been included in the report.
Some incidents this season were highlighted by the medical committee, including one involving West Coast enforcer Beau Waters, who was suspended for two games for crunching Brisbane Lions player Robert Copeland.
The match review panel was heavily criticised for not handing Waters a tougher penalty.
Waters was again under scrutiny last month following an incident with Sydney player Jude Bolton, and Eagles coach John Worsfold was forced to defend his tactics.
"Sometimes umpires aren't used to seeing players attack the ball that hard, and they pay almost pitiful free-kicks out of someone having to cop a hard bump," Worsfold said.
But the AFL has become so concerned by the number of head and neck related injuries it has decided swift action is required.
The catalyst for the report was a sickening collision involving Collingwood player Blake Caracella and Brisbane rival Tim Notting.
Caracella left the ground on a stretcher and was forced into early retirement.
He was fortunate the injury was not worse.
The AFL is extremely mindful of maintaining the image of football especially for parents and the overall appeal of the game at junior level.
The report is believed to include incidents over the past decade, including Michael Long's head-on clash with Troy Simmonds in the 2000 grand final.
Melbourne star and former Port Adelaide hard nut Byron Pickett has also been highlighted by medical officers over several incidents that resulted in contact with a rival's head.
AFL to stamp out head-high contact
By Jim Wilson
August 25, 2006 THE AFL is set to crack down on head-high contact and will consider tougher sanctions and even rule changes to stamp out the problem.
A report has been compiled by a group of AFL medical experts including Geelong doctor Hugh Seward.
The recommendations have been given to AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson who is expected to publically outline the report next week.
Anderson was unavailable for comment last night.
AFL medical staff ate understoof to be increasingly concerned both about injuries to players with their heads over the ball and about contact from opposition players.
The AFL fears head- and neck-related injuries could damage the image of the game.
Numerous examples of crude head-high contact are understoof to have been included in the report.
Some incidents this season were highlighted by the medical committee, including one involving West Coast enforcer Beau Waters, who was suspended for two games for crunching Brisbane Lions player Robert Copeland.
The match review panel was heavily criticised for not handing Waters a tougher penalty.
Waters was again under scrutiny last month following an incident with Sydney player Jude Bolton, and Eagles coach John Worsfold was forced to defend his tactics.
"Sometimes umpires aren't used to seeing players attack the ball that hard, and they pay almost pitiful free-kicks out of someone having to cop a hard bump," Worsfold said.
But the AFL has become so concerned by the number of head and neck related injuries it has decided swift action is required.
The catalyst for the report was a sickening collision involving Collingwood player Blake Caracella and Brisbane rival Tim Notting.
Caracella left the ground on a stretcher and was forced into early retirement.
He was fortunate the injury was not worse.
The AFL is extremely mindful of maintaining the image of football especially for parents and the overall appeal of the game at junior level.
The report is believed to include incidents over the past decade, including Michael Long's head-on clash with Troy Simmonds in the 2000 grand final.
Melbourne star and former Port Adelaide hard nut Byron Pickett has also been highlighted by medical officers over several incidents that resulted in contact with a rival's head.