Fears AFL List cuts could compound concussion woes

An proposal to trim AFL lists in a bid to cut costs in the face of the coronavirus crisis has attracted criticism from concussion campaigner Peter Jess, who fears players will be forced to come back from head injuries too soon.

There are fears players will rush their return from head injuries if the AFL cuts list sizes. Picture: Getty Images

Concussion campaigner Peter Jess has hit out at the AFL’s plans to reduce list sizes, saying it will put pressure on players to return early from head knocks.

Jess told the Herald Sun yesterday he was stunned by suggestions the league was considering reducing lists to 30-35 players per club.

It comes on top of anger from list managers that the move would stifle young players’ development by relegating them back to the state leagues.

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Jess said the move was madness from a concussion perspective as players need to be given more time off to recover from head knocks.

“You can’t do it,” Jess said.

“The research shows that your brain waves are not normalised and your brain is still dysfunctional for 28 days (after a head knock).

There are fears players will rush their return from head injuries if the AFL cuts list sizes. Picture: Getty Images

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“To protect the playing group you cannot return under 28 days. That is the window of vulnerability.

“So our proposition was to expand the playing list to keep them safe.

“If you reduce the lists you put more pressure on them to return to play when the brain hasn’t healed.

“It is beyond comprehension to think the AFL would even contemplate reducing playing lists.”

Jess said the number of players retiring due to concussion under the age of 25 was a huge issue for the game.

“It is frightening and if we go through with this (list cuts) it shows we haven’t learnt anything,” Jess said.

“If the AFL says its overarching desire is to protect the long term welfare of players then this is untenable.”

Any players chopped from club lists could form part of a supplementary list at VFL level which clubs could still access.

But a club official yesterday said the move was a huge backwards step for the game.

He also feared for the cut players’ mental health.

“Cutting list sizes would be an unmitigated disaster for the game,” he said.

“It would impact the quality of players being developed and not to mention the integrity issue of potentially destroying the mental health of over 200 players who would be out of a job.”

Originally published as Fears AFL List cuts could compound concussion woes