Peter Jess accepts the AFL faces a financial battle, but says it must still invest in concussion protocols

As it fights for survival in the face of the unprecedented coronavirus shutdown, the AFL must not take its eye off the ball when it comes to concussion prevention and research, advocate Peter Jess warns.

The AFL has been urged to continue to focus on head injuries. Picture: Sam Wundke

Concussion advocate Peter Jess wants the AFL and the AFL Players’ Association to use the coronavirus shutdown to work on their return-to-play protocols for players who suffer serious head knocks.

It comes as former player agent Ricky Nixon told the Sacked podcast he has detailed records of the concussion history of his one-time clients and is prepared to use the documents to help players in their battle for compensation.

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The AFL has been urged to continue to focus on head injuries. Picture: Sam Wundke

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Jess acknowledged professional football in this country faced unprecedented financial challenges – aside from the health issues – due to the pandemic.

But he said the game's leaders cannot afford to lose sight of the importance of research into the long-term impact of concussion on elite athletes.

“We are in a sporting Armageddon (with the coronavirus), we understand that, but I have also said to the AFL and the AFL Players’ Association that we can use this hiatus to drill down and make sure the game is safe,” Jess told the Herald Sun.

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“This is when we can spend some time focused on making the game as safe as it can be.

“You could not get a better time. Now is the hour we need the AFL and AFL Players’ Association to step up and engage with us.

“We are the independent voices telling the AFL that these issues need to be addressed.”

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Jess said the AFL had agreed in principle to funding a three-year project – totalling $450,000 – to establish a concussion research centre.

But the financial squeeze that has rocked the game across the past fortnight has put that funding “on ice”.

“I’ve been working closely with (AFL General Counsel) Andrew Dillon and he has been very supportive," Jess said. “But we need to use time to make the game safer.”

Originally published as Peter Jess accepts the AFL faces a financial battle, but says it must still invest in concussion protocols