Concussion Management – Football

In-line with the recent announcement of the AFL’s updated 2024 Concussion Protocols, AFL Barwon has announced updated Football & Netball Concussion Protocols.

The most significant announcement detailed within the 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols was:

  • All Australian rules football competitions at all ages (i.e. adult/open competitions and all junior competitions outside AFL/AFLW), will adopt a mandatory minimum 21-day return to play protocol. This new protocol will apply for State Football competitions (including the VFL and VFLW), elite pathway competitions (including the Coates Talent League for boys and girls) and all community football competitions; and
  • Under the new community guidelines, the earliest that a player can return to play after a concussion is on the 21st day after the day on which the concussion was sustained and provided that the player has safely progressed through each phase of the return-to-play program. 

In-line with this announcement, AFL Barwon has adopted:

  1. The 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Australian rules football competitions at all ages; and
  2. Has also adopted this policy for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Netball competitions at all ages.

This adoption extends to practice matches, interleague and other games of any kind, of Australian Rules Football and Netball, in all forms.

In-line with AFL Barwon’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, to be community sport leaders in the safe and sustainable delivery of Football and Netball, we will continue work regionally on further resourcing and support for all affiliated Clubs, competitions and Leagues.

Clubs, stakeholders and community members alike are encouraged to contact AFL Barwon if they require further detail or clarification on these guidelines.

View the AFL Community Concussion Guidelines here

View the guidelines: The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football (2024)

The AFL approved concussion management app – HeadCheck (www.headcheck.com.au), should be utilised to recognise and assist in the management of any suspected concussions for both adults and children.

We have developed an incident form that needs be completed when any player suffers an injury that takes the player out of the game and/or requires medical attention after the match.