The AFL is under increasing pressure to revise its handling of concussion incidents during matches, with the latest call coming from the AFL Doctors' Association.
Dr. Barry Rigby, the head of the association, has voiced strong support for empowering umpires to halt play immediately following a potential concussion event, ensuring the affected player can be removed for a thorough assessment.
Currently, club doctors are required to conduct on-field Head Injury Assessments (HIA), a practice Dr. Rigby criticises as inefficient and challenging.
"At the moment, we have to try and go out there and make a quick assessment of the player to see whether they can continue," Rigby told the Herald Sun.
"That's proving to be very, very difficult. We're running around on the field trying to chase a player and it takes forever to catch them or they're in the midst of play."
Dr. Rigby and his colleagues advocate for a system where the AFL Review Centre (ARC) or sideline doctors can notify umpires to stop the game, akin to the blood rule, so a player can be taken off for a mandatory assessment without penalty to team rotations.
"The play would stop, the umpire would send that player off to the sideline for a mandatory assessment," Rigby added.
"It might take a couple of minutes – but at least you've got the players' attention, and we can have them in a more controlled way."
Adelaide assistant coach Jack Hombsch shared similar sentiments in light of Jordan Dawson's concerning knock against the Bombers last Friday, suggesting that the AFL should consider a faster approach to removing concussed players from the field.
The Crows, alongside Carlton and Brisbane, were issued 'please explain' letters by the AFL for their handling of head knocks over the weekend.
Harry McKay's incident was particularly glaring for Carlton, the forward stumbling to his feet and moving awkwardly following a clear head-knock, before playing on without immediate assessment.
Hombsch highlighted the increasing importance placed on head injuries over the years, stating, "We are taking it very seriously as a game which is great."
Former champion Jonathan Brown suggested that head-knocks should be treated in the same way as the present 'blood-rule', which requires umpires to stop play and force bleeding players to leave the field.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan also shared details of the AFL's intervention in calling for Harris Andrews to undergo a concussion test during their recent match.
Andrews, now in concussion protocols, exemplifies the confusion and timing issues surrounding current procedures.
Fagan recounted an incident where Andrews was assessed late in the game, well after the initial head knock, due to delays in communication from the AFL.
"It's all a bit unclear to me, to be honest," Fagan admitted, emphasising the need for more streamlined processes.
The AFL's current concussion management system is under scrutiny, with potential legal consequences for failing to prioritise player safety through efficient and timely assessments. While safeguarding the health and wellbeing of players remains the priority for the AFL, the path toward doing so remains murky.
Calls for stoppages in play and compulsory helmets are just the recent developments on the concussion issue, with a number of theories and plan proposals certain to form over the coming off-season.