AFL 2025: Concussion protocol remains at 12-day minimum, quirky new regulations revealed

The AFL has made a call on whether to extend the minimum 12-day concussion protocol for the upcoming season. Plus, the league has announced some quirky rulings.

The AFL will retain its minimum 12 day concussion protocol this season but on average players are taking nearly three weeks to pass through the graded steps in a return to football.

The AFL last year kept its 12-day AFL protocols but changed its community guidelines so the earliest a player can return to a game at a lower level than the AFL is 21 days.

In 2025 the league will retain that minimum 12-day concussion protocol for AFL players and 21 days for community footy under a protocol that takes in rest, then gradual recovery and then a graded return to play.

But it is understood the process which requires players to tick off a series of individual milestones before progressing to the next step saw players in the AFL and AFLW return on average between 19-21 days.

The concussion protocols are not changing this year. Picture: Getty Images

It means clubs are taking the league’s protocols seriously and not allowing their players to rush through those steps.

Players are also being honest about their symptoms with club doctors and are prepared to take enough time to get better.

The AFL is also reviewing its rules around contact training across the summer and it seems likely to reduce the amount of contact allowed.

A series of quirky regulations have also been brought in by the AFL regarding headbands and under-shorts players wear on the field.

The league has ruled that players wearing under-shorts must ensure they are shorter than their AFL playing shorts and cannot carry sponsor logos.

Players using headbands must have them in club colours or as the same colour as their own hair.

Bailey Smith can no longer wear his Nike headband during games. Picture: Getty Images

New Geelong star Bailey Smith wore a white Nike headband in a scratch match last weekend but has been told he cannot use a headband with a logo in official competition.

The league has also attempted to inform the public about its contentious holding the ball rule, preparing four education modules to send to clubs and the public.

Four modules have been prepared on holding the ball, insufficient intent, high tackles and contact with umpires with live examples in an attempt to provide greater clarity.

Originally published as AFL 2025: Concussion protocol remains at 12-day minimum, quirky new regulations revealed