The AFL says Carlton breached concussion protocols by not removing Harry McKay from the field on Sunday, but the Blues will only be handed a reprimand.
Carlton’s explanation that its doctors were too busy to tend to McKay following his head knock against North Melbourne on Sunday was partially accepted by the league as it also cleared Adelaide of wrongdoing regarding Jordan Dawson’s concussion on Friday night.
The AFL said it would implement a “strengthened process” dealing with head knocks from this weekend onwards, which will involve club football bosses receiving “real-time” notifications of when ARC medical spotters determine a player needs a concussion test.
Carlton star Harry McKay (left) was cleared of concussion after suffering a head knock in a collision during Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart
“For example, as occurred with Carlton on the weekend, if the club doctors are occupied with another player when the ARC message requiring immediate removal of the player for off-field assessment is received, the club GM football can manage and prioritise a doctor to get the relevant player off the field,” an AFL statement said.
While Carlton coach Michael Voss said he felt the AFL was “comfortable” with the Blues’ explanation of the McKay incident, the league said they took too long to remove the forward from the field.
McKay appeared dazed after his collision with the Kangaroos’ Eddie Ford but remained on the ground for several minutes, even kicking a goal before he was taken off for assessment.
He was eventually cleared of any concussion and the Blues have declared him a certain starter for Friday night’s clash against Port Adelaide.
“While the club was in breach of protocols on account of the short delays in removing McKay from the field, the AFL acknowledges the club’s explanation predominantly on account of Carlton’s doctors dealing with multiple pre-existing and concurrent injuries,” the AFL said.
“Having considered Carlton’s submissions … the AFL has determined the club was in breach of the AFL concussion protocols.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said on Thursday the Blues’ ‘main priority’ was the health of their players on the field. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images
“But having considered the circumstances explained by Carlton, the AFL has issued Carlton an official reprimand only.”
Voss said he would support a push led by the AFL Doctors’ Association to force play to stop if a player suffered a head knock so they would have to be assessed immediately off the field.
“There’s obviously how it’s assessed upstairs, the information that’s flowing downstairs, then how we assess it, how we get the players off,” he said.
“There is a lag sometimes between (those steps), so we’re forever asking that question, how do we make that better?
“Because as you can appreciate, our main priority is the health of the player – in any circumstance, that’s the priority over everything.”
AFL general counsel Stephen Meade urged players to “comply” with the directions of club staff to leave the ground for concussion checks.
“There is no bigger priority than the health and safety of all players. We will continue to ensure our AFL and AFLW concussion protocols are followed,” Meade said.
“The updated process of informing the club GM Football will assist with the priority management on concussion care when the doctors are potentially managing other players at the time.
“The AFL will work with the respective medical experts at the end of the season on the continued updating of the AFL and AFLW concussion guidelines.”
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