‘Big call’: Local football clubs react to AIS’ radical concussion proposal

Local footballers could face an extended stint on the sidelines under an overhaul of concussion protocols proposed by the Australian Institute of Sport. Clubs reveal their reactions.

Former AFL tall Cameron Cloke retired from the game last year after a history of concussions. Picture: David Geraghty

CAMERON Cloke’s former club has backed a radical proposal by the Australian Institute of Sport to overhaul concussion protocols, less than a year after the ex-AFL ruckman was forced into retirement.

Under the AIS recommendations, anyone in community sport showing any symptoms of concussion will be ordered to stand down from their sport for a minimum of three weeks. They will be told not to return to training for two weeks.

The proposed changes aim to protect players from long-term damage sustained from head injuries and follow a senate inquiry last year into head trauma in Australian sport.

Cloke made headlines last year when he announced his retirement from local football just days after he was struck by an opponent.

Playing for Templestowe in an Eastern league match last May, the hit landed the then-38-year-old in hospital, unable to sleep and suffering headaches.

Cameron Cloke joined Templestowe in 2022. Picture: David Geraghty

The father of three later said he couldn’t let his family see him “get hurt anymore” following a history of concussions.

Cloke returned to action for Templestowe in the preliminary final last September but is not expected to take the field again.

The AIS’ newly-proposed guidelines are not mandatory and have not yet been endorsed by AFL, while sports such as athletics, golf and hockey are among those to have accepted the changes.

But Templestowe coach Nick Batsanis, who was a teammate of Cloke’s last year, said the former AFL man was one of many local footballers he had seen affected long-term by concussion.

“It’s not just Cam, I’ve seen it with a lot of my close mates that I’ve played football with,” he said.

“One of my best mates unfortunately packed up footy at the age of 23, 24, purely on the back of what he was experiencing with migraines and constant headaches. He was battling for a fair bit of time.

“A lot of these guys, when you talk to them, still have some sorts of issues that they are dealing with.”

Batsanis said he understood the AIS proposal.

“Three weeks is steep but I do agree with it,” he said.

“We have to think long-term, too. It’s not only about what happens over the next couple of years, it’s down the track.

“It’s something we have to start taking much more seriously.”

Templestowe Junior Football Club president Lucy Halliburton agreed.

“Mandatory is a big call but child safety is absolutely paramount,” she said.

“The evolution of how we approach the rules of the game and how we prepare children to play the game is absolutely essential to the ongoing success of Aussie rules football at community level.

“There’s a big role for community clubs in promoting positive behaviour in relation to health and development.

“Templestowe Junior Football Club certainly utilises the AFL’s most current procedures but we’re constantly working with our league (YJFL) and with the AFL on what’s best for our children.”