AFLPA contacts both Geelong and the AFL requesting details about why Jeremy Cameron did not leave the field

The AFL Players Association has contacted both Geelong and the AFL requesting details about why Jeremy Cameron did not leave the field on Friday night.

The AFL Players Association has urged a “conservative approach” in response to players who suffer head-knocks and possible concussion.

The AFLPA on Monday contacted both Geelong and the AFL requesting details about why Jeremy Cameron did not leave the field after landing heavily on his head in a marking contest, and said it was satisfied the concussion protocols were followed.

After the incident, Cameron shrugged off the doctor and passed a SCAT6 concussion test immediately after the match, satisfying the league’s concussion procedure.

Should Jeremy Cameron have been forced to come from the ground for a HIA? Picture: Fox Footy

“The AFLPA followed up with the AFL and the club in relation to dealing with Jeremy Cameron’s head knock,” AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said.

“We understand the AFL reviewed the club’s process and are comfortable that they acted within the guidelines on the ground at the time and post the match.”

The decision not to take Cameron off the ground was ticked off by the league on Saturday, the PA however, urged a “conservative approach” to players with head knocks or potentially suffering concussion.

“We’re not questioning the way the club or the AFL handled this particular incident, but we urge the industry to continue taking the conservative approach to dealing with head knocks and concussion,” Marsh said. “What this situation highlights is that this issue has never been more important. Concussion remains the pre-eminent issue in the game.”

The PA confirmed Cameron passed a HIA test on the ground, passed a SCAT-6 test post-game, but then failed a second SCAT-6 test on Saturday morning after reporting to the club that he was suffering headaches.

Cameron was ruled out of this Thursday night’s game against Gold Coast. He will attempt to return to the side in a fortnight against GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium.

In Adelaide on Monday, AFL boss Andrew Dillon said he was comfortable with how the Cameron incident was handled and is adamant that independent doctors are not required at games to deal with concussions.

“We did have a look at that and our medical team and our healthcare team have looked at that and spoken to the doctor and we are comfortable with how it was handled on the night,” Dillon said at the Adelaide launch of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

“And post the game Jeremy showed some symptoms and he is now in the protocols.

“What we do have are some of the most stringent and well thought out concussion protocols in not just Australian sport but world sport.

“So I am really comfortable with the protocols that we have got, we also have really experienced medical professionals at the clubs and also at the ARC at AFL house looking after the health and safety of the players.”

Andrew Dillon speaking in Adelaide on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

The look of Cameron trying to avoid the doctor after their brief conversation on Friday night has been heavily scrutinised.

It is understood that Cameron and the Cats doctor had a longer conversation that was not seen on the broadcast, while he was also tracked by the AFL’s concussion spotters in the ARC following the incident.

Former St Kilda great Leigh Montagna queried whether the league needed to enforce brain checks for all players on the bench after head knocks in-game.

“We may need a compulsory rule, if a player gets any head contact they have to come off for a quick assessment first in that situation,” Montagna said.

“Otherwise it is like that situation, you just shrug the doc off and say ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’.

“What can the doctor do? He can’t put him in a headlock and force him to come off.”

Dillon said the doctor was able to bring a player off the ground, and he felt that independent medical professionals at games were not required.

“What I am comfortable with is that we have the Geelong doctor, who is really experienced, was able to be out on the ground and do the assessment that he needed to do,” he said.

“The protocols were followed.

“We have doctors that are in the ARC and we have doctors at the clubs, I don’t think they need to be independent.

“They have the best interests of the players, that is what they are employed to do.”

Originally published as AFLPA contacts both Geelong and the AFL requesting details about why Jeremy Cameron did not leave the field