Player agent Peter Jess calls for urgent revamp of AFLW concussion protocols

AFLW players suffering concussion should be sidelined for at least three weeks, says a veteran player agent who warns there could be “dire” consequences unless the process for head knocks is revamped.

Melbourne’s Meg Downie is knocked out during a 2017 game. Picture: AAP

AFL Women’s players suffering concussion should be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks, according to veteran player agent Peter Jess.

The concussion campaigner is warning that there could be “dire” consequences unless the process for head knocks is revamped.

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“I’m dealing with a cohort of former male players suffering severe cognitive issues … this is what the women are possibly facing,” Jess said.

“This includes a legend of the game who at age 50 has no memory of playing football. What will this do to the families of these women?

“The multimodal testing regimen needed to clear women to return to play is not adhered to.

“Which means if another concussion occurs, the damage will be far greater if the initial injury has not been resolved.”

Player agent Peter Jess says AFLW players should have at least three weeks on the sidelines after a concussion.

He says that concussion effects for women are “manifestly different” compared with men and that brainwaves “are likely to be abnormal for up to 21 to 25 days after the injury”.

But the AFL has backed its program and maintained it would continue to invest in research.

“The AFL understands the modifiers of concussion in female sport, and are undertaking a range of programs in order to educate players and coaches at all levels, as well as conducting in-depth research to learn new information,” a league spokesman told the Herald Sun.

AFLW players are subjected to the same concussion testing as men’s players, with the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool and Cogstate used to evaluate players, which Jess — who has previously called on the league to change AFLW rules to reduce collisions — says does not delve deep enough into their condition.

“The long-term neurological issue for women in the current treatment regimen will be dire,” Jess said.

“The welfare of the women is paramount.”

League data shows that female players are twice as likely to be concussed than men’s players, with Jess last week contacting AFL chairman Richard Goyder to express his concern surrounding return to play protocols.

Ash Brazill missed Round 4 because of concussion. Picture: AAP

The league’s 2018 injury report showed that for every 1000 player hours, there were 3.2 concussions compared to 1.5 in the men’s competition.

Collingwood cross-code star Ash Brazill missed just one game after she was concussed in Round 3, and revealed on the weekend that she had been unable to leave the house for a week without vomiting.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system. I was able to run off the ground and really chat to the doctors and the physios how I was feeling … I still don’t remember that,” Brazill said on Women’s Footy.

“They reckon about five minutes later, I freaked out and didn’t know where I was. I thought I was back living in Perth playing (netball) for (West Coast) Fever and I just broke down thinking I was back playing with my old side.

“Nothing made sense … I then was at home for a week and couldn’t leave the house without being sick.

“It’s something I didn’t realise was that serious and concussion is definitely a big shock to the system.”

Originally published as Player agent Peter Jess calls for urgent revamp of AFLW concussion protocols