Darcy Moore talks AFL’ concussion issue, Roos ‘ramp up’ contact training despite fears

Pies skipper Darcy Moore says the AFL’s concussion question won’t go away anytime soon, as North Melbourne ramp up their training despite calls to slash full-contact sessions.

Colby McKercher tackles Harry Sheezel at training. Picture: Michael Klein

Premiership captain Darcy Moore says Collingwood’s defence has the depth and versatility to cover for Nathan Murphy as the club gives him time and space to consider his football future.

Moore on Monday applauded Murphy for his mature response as he steps back from competitive match practice after a series of concussions.

Moore said it was inappropriate to talk about a potential return date for Murphy, but clearly the Pies will have to plan for his absence in coming weeks as they look towards Opening Round opponent the GWS Giants.

Nathan Murphy’s future has been clouded by concussion. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The Pies gave up five goals to North Melbourne’s Nick Larkey last week in an AFL practice match, but were able to cover for Murphy’s quarter-time loss (concussion) in the Grand Final.

Moore said the Pies had enough mid-sized defenders and emerging talls to make do, but admits it could take some time for the Pies to gel in their back six.

“We are lucky we have got some good depth. Charlie Dean coming back from his two broken feet over two years is really exciting for us. I loved working with him in the pre-season and Billy Frampton has spent some time back there as well,” he said.

“We have got guys like Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor who can play a bit taller as well so I am definitely coming into the season with an open mind about how our defensive mix looks.

“I think we are going to have to be pretty flexible. Whether we got a bit taller or a bit more mobile, that will obviously affect my role a lot.

“So we will try a few different things and see where we land. Whatever the best thing for Nathan’s wellbeing is what we are focused on. Any commentary or prediction around time frames doesn’t feel very appropriate.”

Moore says the concussion problem won’t be going anywhere soon. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The AFL is expected to retain its minimum 12-day concussion return to play protocol for the elite competition as it confronts a concussion class action.

Moore said the news of Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw’s medical retirement was “heartbreaking”, but continues to back the league’s return to play policies.

“The issue of concussion is not going away anytime soon,” Moore said. “There are no obvious answers coming in the short term. I think the best that we can hope for as players is that the league is genuine about making the game as safe as it possibly can be.

“And that when incidents occur that they’re handled according to best practice, and I’m pretty confident that that’s the case at the moment.

“I think obviously the (minimum) 12 day concussion protocol has been the result of the AFL consulting medical experts who clearly have experience with neuroscience. So I think the best we can do is really trust their recommendations.”

ROOS RAMP UP CONTACT TRAINING DESPITE CONCUSSION FEARS

– Sam Landsberger

North Melbourne has “ramped up” contact at training this summer despite calls to slash full-contact sessions in a bid to protect players from concussion.

Victorian state Coroner John Cain’s findings on the death of former AFL player Travis Tuck included a recommendation that the AFL limit the number of contact training sessions players participate in.

More than 10 AFL players have suffered a concussion so far this summer — still more than two weeks out from the start of the home-and-away season.

Concussion campaigner Peter Jess recently called for the elimination of full contact from pre-season matches, which would instead become skills-based games.

Adelaide’s Mark Keane and West Coast’ Reuben Ginbey suffered concussions during the last week’s unofficial match simulations against rival clubs.

Mark Keane suffered a concussion after a Sam Powell-Pepper hit. Picture: Getty Images

Other players to be concussed this pre-season include Nick Vlastuin (Richmond), Taj Woewodin (Melbourne), Zak Jones, Hunter Clark (St Kilda), Hamish Free (North Melbourne), Max Gruzewski (GWS), Aiden O’Driscoll, Bailey Williams, (Western Bulldogs), Josh Carmichael (Collingwood) and Mitch McGovern (Carlton).

In 2021 the AFL swiftly banned boxing after Hawthorn star Mitch Lewis was left concussed by teammate Jacob Koschitzke, who punched Lewis in the head in the club’s boxing ring.

Roos Skipper Jy Simpkin said on Monday that reducing contact at training under master coach Alastair Clarkson had not been discussed.

“If anything we’ve ramped it up,” Simpkin said.

“One thing we haven’t been great in over the last couple of years is our contest work and ability to fight tackles and even make tackles ourselves.”

Jy Simpkin at AFL captain’s day. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Kangas ruckman Free was left concussed on the training track at Arden St while teammate Tristan Xerri underwent facial surgery following a collision in a marking contest.

An anonymous AFL Players’ Association survey last year revealed almost one in 10 men’s players had hid a concussion injury.

That surpassed the five-year average of 7 per cent, returning to the levels in 2016-18.

AFLPA boss Paul Marsh said it was due to the mandatory 12-day sit-out period.

“Anecdotally what we’re hearing from players is a fear of missing out on matches,” he said.

“Obviously careers are tied to matches and payments are tied to matches – that’s what it is largely.

“It’s not a huge number, but it’s an alarming number in a sense that we’ve never had a better understanding of how serious the injury is.”

Richmond captain Toby Nankervis told the Herald Sun on Monday that players were “desperate to play” when he was asked whether players would hide concussion symptoms.

“I can’t speak for anyone else and you would hope not, but it is a competitive industry and we are all desperate to play,” Nankervis said.

“Its very hard to watch on from the sidelines and it is very hard to comment on that, but it would be an absolute risk.”

Originally published as Darcy Moore talks AFL’ concussion issue, Roos ‘ramp up’ contact training despite fears