Brisbane Lions fined $20,000 for missing text message over Sophie Conway concussion test

The Brisbane Lions’ doctor missed a text message during the AFLW grand final last year. It’s ended up costing the club $20,000 after the Lions and AFL went back and forth over concussion guidelines.

The Brisbane Lions have been handed a $20,000 sanction by the AFL, with half of it suspended, for a breach of the concussion guidelines during last year’s AFLW grand final.

The AFL has handed down the sanction for the Lions’ “non-deliberate breach” in the management of winger Sophie Conway.

After noticing Conway stumbling during the third quarter, the ARC alerted the Lions to the incident which required the club to immediately remove her from the field and undergo a SCAT5, the standard tool for evaluating potential concussion.

However, according to the AFL, the Lions did not see the message as Conway played out the rest of the term. The Brisbane doctor then assessed Conway during the three-quarter time break with physical exhaustion given as the reason for her stumble.

After reviewing the footage during the start of the fourth quarter, the Lions then opted to remove Conway from the field for a full SCAT5. The test did not identify any concussion symptoms and she was allowed to return to the field.

“The AFL’s concussion guidelines require strict and consistent adherence to protect the health and safety of players,” an AFL statement read.

“Whilst Brisbane’s breach of the concussion guidelines was at the lower end of the scale (noting that Conway played only the last few minutes of the 3rd quarter and the first few minutes of the 4th quarter in breach of the guidelines and that she was ultimately cleared of any deficits or abnormalities by the SCAT5), it is important that clubs have processes in place to avoid a breach as occurred here.”

Conway produced some crucial plays in the second half to help lead the Lions to their second AFLW premiership. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The AFL has been clear in recent weeks that it will do everything in its power to protect players from potential head injuries.

Recent rule changes around the smother rule and run-down tackles emphasise that they want to protect players’ heads from excessive force. The ruling on the Lions further conveys that commitment according to AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade.

“The AFL is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players and requires strict compliance with concussion guidelines from our clubs,” he said.

“Whilst we acknowledge that Brisbane’s breach was not deliberate, and Conway did not in fact suffer a concussion, we set high standards that must be met in the assessment of head trauma to avoid the risk of further injury.”

Conway finished the match with eight disposals and seven tackles in the Lions’ 17-point victory. The third quarter was also where Conway had the greatest influence on the match, earning one holding-the-ball decision and spectacularly breaking a tackle from Ash Riddell.

The suspended $10,000 of the Lions’ sanction will be not enforced unless the club’s AFL or AFLW program is subject to a similar breach this year.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions fined $20,000 for missing text message over Sophie Conway concussion test