AFL Barwon confirms 21-day concussion return to play protocols for football and netball
AFL Barwon has confirmed the concussion protocols for both football and netball for this season. And the governing body has given clubs a pat on the back.
Footballers and netballers in the Geelong region will need to sit out three weeks before returning to play after suffering a concussion.
The governing body confirmed it will be adopting the mandate set out by the AFL earlier this month.
The AFL stated that outside the AFL and AFLW, the earliest a player in all senior and junior competitions can return to play is on the 21st day.
For example, if a player suffers a concussion on the Saturday of round one, they can make their return on the Saturday of round four.
AFL Barwon has extended this policy netball as the league believes that the same caution should apply regardless of the sport.
The protocols also apply to practice matches and interleague.
The governing body said they have adopted:
1. The 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Australian rules football competitions at all ages; and
2. Has also adopted this policy for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Netball competitions at all ages.
AFL Barwon regional manager Ed Wilson said he takes great pride in how seriously clubs in the region treat the issue of concussion.
“AFL Barwon has taken a very proactive response and as a result we are in full support of the AFL’s concussion protocols,” Wilson told this publication.
“From clubs it is a supportive response that we are seeing through engagements with them. We know that clubs take concussion extremely seriously, the wellbeing and safety of all players throughout the region, football or netball, is our No. 1 priority as AFL Barwon and that continues to our 51 affiliated clubs.”
Originally published as AFL Barwon confirms 21-day concussion return to play protocols for football and netball
