Concussion in the AFL: Paul Seedsman set to remain on Crows list

What does the future hold for Paul Seedsman, amid uncertainty he may not play again as a result of concussion issues?

Paul Seedsman is set to remain on Adelaide’s list next year amid uncertainty if he will play again due to his concussion battle.

The 30-year-old wingman has been sidelined since sustaining a head knock in a marking contest in December, having experienced lingering symptoms.

Seedsman, who is contracted for next season, is understood to be frustrated at his situation but still hopeful of playing again.

There have been no discussions about him not seeing out his deal.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Paul Seedsman has not played a game this season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Nicks said the Victorian’s recovery remained a work in progress.

Asked about the likelihood of Seedsman playing again, Nicks said he could not comment because he was not an expert in that area.

“I expect him to be on the list next year, it’s just a matter of how he progresses now, it’s day to day, month to month,” Nicks said.

“He’s having some really strong days, he’s now taking some of his training to the next level but I don’t know anymore detail around it than that.

“I look forward to working with Paul for many more years.

“Whether that’s on field or not on the field is something we’ve got to work through and he’s working through at the moment.

“There’s some big challenges with that but he’s doing a great job.”

Seedsman had a standout season in 2021, finishing third in the Crows’ best-and-fairest and being named in the 40-man All-Australian squad.

He visited Melbourne for specialist treatment early in the season and was placed on the inactive list in May.

Seedsman has since resumed physical training, as well as been around the club, such as in the change rooms post-game.

Nicks said it was fantastic that he had seen plenty of him lately.

“He actually spent one game on the bench with me and I got to see his footy brain in action – he sees the game incredibly well,” he said.

Concussion compo fund here ‘well before next season’

A renowned concussion advocate expects the AFL will soon create a compensation fund for ex-players suffering from brain trauma and go a long way to avoiding potential law suits.

Peter Jess says talks with high-level league officials have given him confidence a multimillion-dollar kitty for former footballers will be established before next season.

This week, former Richmond and Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz called for the AFL to urgently start a fund while revealing that 19 areas of his brain were damaged.

Repeated knocks from playing football have left Schulz, 37, with side-effects that included anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia and memory loss.

Jay Schulz is battling brain trauma from repeated head knocks. Picture: Sarah Rhodes

Jess said the compensation fund would be a significant step in addressing any of the likely legal challenges from past players battling head injuries due to repeated on-field head knocks.

He believed it would require a large upfront sum, as well as an annual contribution of at least $25m over an extended period.

“They need a solution for this because the alternative is they will have a myriad of litigation,” Jess told News Corp.

“The duty of care is there with the AFL.

“I’ve been assured the fund will exist … and I think it will be in existence well before the start of next season.”

Jay Schulz during his Power career. Picture: AAP/Ben Macmahon

Jess said he first went to the AFL about the fund last year, believing it to be a solution to the long-term consequences players were experiencing from brain trauma.

Schulz’s battle had prompted ex-teammates and officials to reach out to him.

His former Port Adelaide coach, Ken Hinkley, said the club wished him well.

“He’s been a great player for our footy club, he played a tough and uncompromising brand of football,” Hinkley said on Thursday.

“I think the main thing is that he’s handling the situation, he’s getting some support in that area, and I know that (Power football manager) Chris (Davies) has spoken with Jay as well.

Renowned concussion advocate Peter Jess

“As a club, we’ll support him as much as we can.

“He’s got the right help, right now, and I think that’s really important.

“With concussion as a whole, as an industry and in world sport, we’re all still trying to get more educated on it because it’s such a significant issue that we should give it everything that it deserves and make sure that we look after people’s health.”

The league remained noncommittal about the fund on Thursday.

It believed the competition had been conducted with a duty of care for 126 years of the VFL/AFL, informed by the relevant information it had at the time.

“The AFL employs a number of experts, consultants with a wide range of experts and expert bodies and constantly informs itself of all the science, and it maintains and adapts its concussion guidelines accordingly,” a spokesman said.

“Over the past two decades we have changed rules, strengthened protocols and educated our clubs and players on the reasons why we are treating the issue so seriously.

“Protecting the health and wellbeing of all people who participate in our game is the highest priority for the AFL and we take concussion and the protection of the brain health of all those playing our game extremely seriously.”

Originally published as Concussion in the AFL: Paul Seedsman set to remain on Crows list