Questions raised: AFLPA seeking clarity on TDK decision

The AFL Players’ Association is seeking clarity on the circumstances that led to Tom De Koning returning to the field with fractured ribs.

De Koning suffered a heavy hit in the second quarter of St Kilda's loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. He was assessed in the rooms before briefly returning to the action late in the first half.

The ruckman was then taken to hospital via ambulance where he was diagnosed with two fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

The AFL earlier this year completed its investigation into the Christian Petracca incident in 2024, overhauling its match-day emergency injury protocols.

Petracca suffered a life-threatening lacerated spleen, cracked ribs and a punctured lung, but was sent back onto the field during that game against Collingwood.

While thankfully not as serious, De Koning’s return to the field has raised questions inside the player union, who is making contact with player and club.

One of the changes announced in the wake of the Petracca incident was the formulation of a tightened audit process, where a panel reviews all emergency match-day incidents. But that panel is yet to be confirmed.

Other reforms included a standardized gameday approach to emergencies across all stadiums and states, club staff having to complete an emergency care course every two years and more pre-game rigour around hospital details and emergency communication channels being outlined.