Aliir Aliir, Lachie Jones head knock - what you’ve been saying about concussions in the AFL

Aliir Aliir’s nasty head knock with Port teammate Lachie Jones has sparked a spirited discussion among footy fans about concussions in sport. See what they’ve been saying and join the debate.

The nasty head knock between Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir and teammate Lachie Jones during last weekend’s Showdown has sparked a passionate debate among readers about the club’s handling of the incident, and the broader issue of concussions in sport.

On Monday, the AFL issued Port Adelaide with a please explain after the club decided not to submit Aliir to a 15-minute concussion protocol, which would have included extensive SCAT5 testing.

Today, club doctor Mark Fisher conceded he was wrong to allow Aliir to return to the field without undergoing the test and the Power confirmed both players had been put in the concussion protocol, which will see them sidelined for 11 days.

You’ve had plenty to say about the issue. Here’s a taste.

If you’d like to join the conversation, comment below or head to our Facebook page.

AFL IS A CONTACT SPORT

JAMES
These people get paid a lot of money to do a full contact sport. You can’t eliminate all risk from it, and arguably their high pay is in lieu of those elevated risks vs a standard office job (similar to other high risk high remuneration jobs such as working on oil rigs). I think you have to take the judgment of the doctor otherwise ban all contact if you want to maximize safety, however players will be paid less with resulting drop in fan interest and revenue.

CORA
They are grown men. If they didn’t want to go back on, they should have said.

The moment Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones clashed heads during Showdown 54 on Saturday night. Image: Fox Sports.

WRONG CALL

PETER
Tripped over, and hit my head badly, head bounced. Felt ok the rest of the day but next morning had a thick head, bad headache and felt nauseous. This lasted 2 to 3 days, very tired and not right. Can only imagine the impact of a head clash at speed, then hitting a hard surface and do not believe both of these players would not feel any ill effect afterwards. Aliir was motionless on the ground and out of it for a while. Very bad decision by (the) club doctor.

CRAIG
Give the Doctor his due, he’s taken responsibility and admitted he was wrong. So good on him.. A few politicians around might want to consider doing likewise given the mess they’ve made.

DEAN
Truly dreadful optics, As repeat offenders Port should have the book thrown at them.

GARRY
Blind Freddy could see both players lost consciousness after the head knock. No need for lengthy slowmo replay here. The Power tried to sneak them into the Geelong game and failed. Now they’ve thrown the club medico under the bus. So what did Ken the man say on the night?

ELLEN
I was at the game and I was so shocked at the fact they were allowed back on. I think every one of the 50,000 or so people at the game were. I hope they both will be ok!

MARK
So desperate to win they ignore safety protocols and still got thrashed!!!!!

KAREN
Winning is obviously more important than players’ safety. All for nothing - they lost.

RACHELLE

We were at the game with our children sitting near the incident. We all saw it happen and heard the noise on impact. It was pretty obvious they should have never returned to play. I hope both players are ok. Well done AFL.

THE NEW INDIGENOUS

Only a loss of Premiership Points will change Port’s culture. Its mindset of aggression, that it is more than a sport, and a tradition that says they can never be wrong.

STEVE
Just disgraceful, simple as that!

PENALISE PORT ADELAIDE

TESS
They should cop a massive fine for that! It’s a huge breach to send a player back on five minujtes after smashing his head like that!!

ANDY

Waiting to see how much the fine is going to be.

MARK
Port need to be given a huge fine, they need to understand what they did was not okay.

THE LEFT IS NEVER RIGHT
Premiership points is the only way to hit Port where it hurts.

RICHARD
Quite honestly I think the damage done to Port Adelaide’s credibility is enough not to warrant points being deducted. A fine would be enough.

DAVID
Kicked out the comp!

JIMMY

Send them back to the SANFL

PLAYER SAFETY AT ALL COSTS

JO
Don’t care what team The duty of care for the players should have been No. 1 priority.

TREVOR
Not a good look for the club. Player welfare should always come first. It pains me to say but they should cop a hefty penalty for this one.

MARIA
So where is Safework SA? Would this happen in their workplace/environment? Oh it’s sports it’s okay, play on.

OWEN
Honest Power supporters would surely be ashamed of this.

GRAHAM
No brainer, really. Should have been the call during the match. Player safety is paramount.

IT’S NOT JUST THE BIG KNOCKS

AC: Players should be duly concerned about all the small repeated knocks as well. Many go under the radar.

WHERE’S THE PROTECTIVE GEAR?

NICHOLAS
Why aren’t AFL players wearing protective padding head gear just like some players did some years ago.

SHELLEY
Time for the AFL to make helmets compulsory.

‘PROTECTIVE GEAR’ IS NOT THE ANSWER

RINO
Concussion is caused by the brain moving and hitting the skull. No helmet will prevent this. They only protect from skull injuries. In the NFL in America they have been wearing helmets for several decades and there are several players in far worse shape than most AFL players who have suffered consequences of repeated concussions.

TIME TO REVIEW THE RULES

MIKE
Teams need more flexibility, maybe with more substitutes. Coaches will always push the boundaries if they have no replacement options.

MARK
Should be an AFL independent doctor not a club doctor.

ANTON
$500,000 fine to the club is what’s required here. Nothing less. The most serious issue right now in world sport with the AFL about to head to court for a class action. The AFL will be asked in court: ‘What did you do when a club transgressed?’ They can now say ‘we did this’. That’s why the fine needs to be massive. Doctor needs four weeks penalty and an immediate overhaul of the system. No more club doctor (making the) decision. An independent neurologist at each game to provide an impartial diagnosis is the only way moving forward.

DONNA
Time for rule change to stop this from happening. Once you are hit in the head you no longer take part (in) the game and a week off, no matter what.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH, AFL

BRETT
How can the AFL make such a song and dance about head injuries and do nothing to effectively managing them? Pretty p***poor from from the governing body!

Originally published as Aliir Aliir, Lachie Jones head knock - what you’ve been saying about concussions in the AFL