We acknowledge that the traditional owners of the land that we train and play on are that of the Peramangk people and pay respect to their elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
CONCUSSIONThe well being of players is paramount to the Mount Barker Football Club and we have a duty of care for all of our players. As such will adhere to any guidelines set by the governing bodies (AFL, SANFL & HFL) and relevant medical professionals. The MBFC fully support the trainers in making the decision on any head injury no matter how minor it may appear. If in doubt, sit them out.
Information and guidelines are constantly being updated, so please review on a regular basis and contact trainers@mbfc.com.au if you have any additional questions. On this pageFeatures of a Suspected Concussion SANFL Endorsement of the updated AFL Community Concussion Guidelines Forms and additional external resources |
Concussion ManagementConcussion affects athletes at all levels of sport, from the part-time recreational athlete to the full-time professional. If managed appropriately, most episodes of concussion resolve over a short period of time, with or without medical intervention. Complications can occur, however, including prolonged duration of symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury. Summary
Red Flags
ACTION: If any one of the above is observed or reported, an ambulance should be called for immediate transportation to hospital. Features of a suspected concussion
ACTION: for any suspected concussion, the player needs to see a doctor as soon as practical for assessment, including confirmation of the diagnosis. The player must not return to play or full contact training until they have been cleared by a doctor. Tools
Tools such as the Concussion Recognition Tool 6th edition (CRT6) and the HeadCheck App should be used to help identify a suspected concussion. Day of injury management
Download the AFL match day head injury assessment & referral form: Match Day Head Injury - 12 years and under Match Day Head Injury - 13 years and over Return to play protocolsThe most important aspect of return to play protocols is guiding the player through key stages rather than simply following suggested timeframes or the number of days post injury. The critical stages for return to play following concussion include:
Download the AFL stages of graded return to play and medical clearance form: Four Stages of Graded Return-to-Play Medical Clearance Form - Concussion SANFL Endorsement of the updated AFL Community Concussion Guidelines
SANFL wish to inform Community Football Clubs and Leagues that the SA Football Commission has endorsed the updated AFL Community Concussion Guidelines. After an extensive review process, the AFL have finalsed The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian (March 2024) (AFL Community Concussion Guidelines). These guidelines apply to players in all South Australian Football competitions outside AFL/AFLW listed players, provided their recovery from concussion has been managed under the Advanced Care Settings of the AFL/AFLW team.
The most substantive amendment is that the earliest a player may return to play (once they have completed a graded loading program and have obtained medical clearance) is on the 21st day following the concussion (where the day of concussion is designated day "0"). Previously, the earliest that a player could return was on the 12th day following the concussion. This means that a player who is concussed in a match on a Saturday will miss at least the next two Saturday matches and will only able to return to play on the third Saturday (i.e., the 21st day after the concussion was sustained) if they have recovered according to the protocols and have been medically cleared to return to paly. In many cases, recovery will be slower than the minimum 21 days. | Forms and LinksForms Match Day Head Injury - 12 years and under Match Day Head Injury - 13 years and over Medical Clearance Form - Concussion Four Stages of Graded Return-to-Play Additional information Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT) 6 AFL Community Concussion Guidelines - Play AFL The Management of Sport Related Concussion in Australian Football - Play AFL myPhysioSAmyPhysioSA have set aside some assessment appointments on Monday evenings for any players that have an injury or suspected concussion and need medical assessment. Players can work through a graded loading program with one of the clinic physio team members. Dr. Duncan Walker (Sports Physician) consults from the Mt Barker clinic on a Wednesday and can be referred to for a medical clearance (required before full contact training as part of the AFL return-to-play guidelines). |