Hawthorn vice-captain Jaeger O’Meara is happy with the AFL’s decision to extend the length of time players must spend on the sidelines after suffering a concussion.
Players will now have to miss a game following a concussion, with 12 days the minimum time required before being cleared to play, up from six days.
“I think it’s a good thing the AFL has brought this in, anything to protect the head is really important and some of the statistics coming out now with the CTE scans are pretty frightening, so anything to protect the players is really good,” O’Meara told SEN's Dwayne's World.
SEN host Dwayne Russell brought up an interesting point regarding the 12-day concussion requirements and the impact it could have on Round 1.
Russell wonders whether the AFL will make sure all 18 teams either play their AAMI Community Series game inside or outside the 12-day window as to not disadvantage teams who have players suffer concussions.
For instance, if Carlton is playing 10 days before Round 1 and Richmond is playing 14 days before, then any Tiger that suffers a concussion can be cleared to play, whereas the Blue is immediately ruled out of the season opener.
“Should the AFL schedule all of the practice games at least 12 days before Round 1?” Russell asked O’Meara.
“Would it be unfair if some teams are playing 10 days (before Round 1) and a concussion would mean not being able to play Round 1 and other teams play 14 days out. Should all teams either play within the 12 day window or outside of it?”
To which the Hawthorn star replied: “I hadn’t thought about that until you mentioned it now. I think you probably make a good point.
“It would probably be pretty frustrating if you did get a head knock and you happen to miss Round 1, but I’m not sure what they’re thinking in regards to that.
“It does make sense to have the 12 or 13 days prior to Round 1 to give you a chance to be available to play in Round 1 if you did get a head knock.”
Hawthorn takes on Essendon in Round 1 at Marvel Stadium on March 20.
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