AFL set to ‘closely monitor’ Aliir Aliir in wake of questionable Port Adelaide move

The AFL have issued a statement after serious questions were raised over a club’s decision to not conduct a concussion test on a star.

The AFL are closely monitoring Port Adelaide. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL have issued a statement on Sunday afternoon in the wake of questions being raised in the direction of Port Adelaide.

Power defender Aliir Aliir returned to the field of play only eight minutes after he was helped off the ground following a heavy collision with teammate Lachie Jones.

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Jones was taken down into the rooms and underwent a concussion test while Aliir remained on the bench.

Aliir eventually stood up off the bench and went back out onto the ground with Fox Sports’ David Zita reported no HIA test had been conducted but clarified his reporting on Sunday, noting Aliir had undergone a HIA but not a concussion test.

“To clarify: HIA is effectively a consultation over the footage. What we consider a ‘concussion test’ is a SCAT5, which is the mandatory 15 minutes off. I reported he did not have a HIA last night, which was incorrect. He underwent a HIA, but did not undergo a concussion (SCAT5) test,” he wrote.

Jones was subbed out of the contest with the club stating it was due to a migraine.

Aliir sitting on the bench after the incident. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL stated contact had been made with the club and the condition of both players will be “closely monitored” over the coming days.

“The AFL’s Acting Executive General Manager of Football Laura Kane and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Makdissi have been in contact with the Port Adelaide Football Club following the incident involving Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones during last night’s match,” the statement read.

“Aliir and Jones had a heavy collision which resulted in both players undertaking head injury assessments (HIA) and Jones being substituted from the game after a SCAT5 test and Aliir returning to the game after his initial HIA.

“Over the coming days the AFL will continue to have dialogue with the Port Adelaide Football Department and their Club Doctor to closely monitor the management of Aliir and Jones.

“The AFL will provide a further update in due course.”

The incident left fans watching on in disbelief that the Power had allowed Aliir to return to the field so quickly after the heavy hit.

Former Port Adelaide sharpshooter Jay Schulz tweeted: “Footage from last nights head clash makes me feel sick. As someone who knows what can happen it’s disappointing.

“You could see they were both out before hitting the ground. It’s no one’s fault, we play a contact sport but it’s time the decision is taken away from player and club.”

Sam Skinner, who played two games for Port Adelaide last year before being delisted, took to Twitter to voice his dismay.

“Allowed back on after this? Duty of care?” Skinner tweeted.

“And they’ll call it ‘delayed concussion’ during the week to cover their a***s.”

Aliir was down and out. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote: “I think we have got to the stage where Aliir should have 15 minutes out with a HIA regardless of whether he is subsequently cleared of concussion and able to return. Club doctors are under incredible time pressure but this was a big head clash. The vision was clear-cut.”

Presenter Ben Way wrote: “It’s hard to say @afl is taking concussions seriously when players return from a clash like that so abruptly. Good to see Aliir Aliir back, but very swift.”

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley leapt to the defence of his club’s medical staff.

“The doctor made those decisions based around both players and he was really clear and really certain to me and Aliir was too,” Hinkley said after the shock 47-point loss to Adelaide.

“I sat and spoke with Aliir and he was clear as you could be.

“The doctor was very, very comfortable that the situation was well and truly okay and that he was able to go back on.

“He went back out and played the whole game, so I don’t think there’s too many problems with Aliir other than he got beaten badly (by Taylor Walker).

“The doctor, Mark Fisher, is an incredibly experienced doctor and he makes the right decisions that he needs to make.

“As soon as he came off, I was absolutely surprised myself a little bit at how clear he looked and how bright he looked.

“He was the same Aliir that I was talking to before the game.”