Port Adelaide ordered by AFL to explain handling of Aliir Aliir head-knock

After a world renowned concussion expert expressed concerns, the AFL has ordered a please explain over the handling of a sickening incident.

Aliir Aliir of the Power down after a collision with Lachie Jones (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL has ordered Port Adelaide to explain why star defender Aliir Aliir and teammate Lachie Jones didn’t undertake full concussion tests after a sickening collision which drew questions from a world renowned expert.

Aliir turned up to training on Monday declaring he was “fine” but both he and Jones was later placed in concussion protocols and won’t play this week in a dramatic aftermath to the head clash between the pair during last Saturday’s Showdown loss to Adelaide.

Jones underwent a head impact assessment and while he was cleared of a concussion from the second-quarter incident he was subbed out of the game at half-time.

But Aliir returned to the ground later in the quarter and played out the match, which even raised concerns form renowned concussion expert Dr Chris Nowinski.

I also have questions. https://t.co/yWqkHoq0LY

— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) July 30, 2023

The AFL also confirmed it had sent a “please explain” regarding the concussion protocol management and “specifically in relation to the club’s decision not to undertake a SCAT5 concussion test” after the incident”.

“In absence of the SCAT5 test occurring and out of an abundance of caution, the Port Adelaide Football Club has decided to enter Aliir into AFL Concussion protocols and he will be unable to participate, at a minimum, in the clubs Round 21 match this week vs the Geelong Cats,” a league statement said.

“Upon further review after being substituted on Saturday night, Port Adelaide player Lachie Jones, who was involved in the collision with Aliir, has also entered AFL Concussion protocols.”

Both players will now need to undertake and medically pass the mandatory 11-step, minimum 12-day process before returning to play .

Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir didn’t train on Monday but says he’s ‘feeling fine’ after the nasty head clash with Lachie Jones

👉 LATEST: https://t.co/aqaZSgDHsbpic.twitter.com/7VVrYFpckF

— The Advertiser Sport (@TheTiserSport) July 31, 2023

The AFL could also dole out some punishment including fines on the Power if it decides that doctor Mark Fisher breached the league’s guidelines on concussion.

On Sunday the Power on Sunday made clear Fisher was strong in his belief Aliir had no concussion-related symptoms and didn’t need the SCAT 5 test, despite vision of the incident showing the defender splayed on the ground in the aftermath.

The incident remains the subject of an AFL investigation.