While AFL operations general manager Brad Scott said the league was looking to solidify recently introduced rules,including retaining this year’s “stand” rule for the man on the mark,the issue of player safety and duty of care remains a hot topic.
“My view is that players should be allowed to contest the ball but the clear message we are giving to clubs and players is that if you contest the ball and you are late,and you hit the opposition player in the head,you are going to be in trouble,” Scott said.
“I am not sure if we are going to see harsher penalties. We are just going to do our best to clarify what is acceptable and what isn’t. The onus is on the player. If you choose to bump and hit the opposing player in the head,then you are going to be in trouble.”
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Player agent and leading concussion campaigner Peter Jess backed the committee’s move.
“It’s a forward step,that is no question,but the key problem is the transfer of energy when the bodies collide and this energy transfers up to the brain,which absorbs that transfer of energy. It’s not necessarily when there is a head collision,” he said.
The committee will meet again in January,with any recommendations to go before the AFL Commission. Any change could see the gradings of a head-high incident lifted to reflect the severity with which these clashes are now held.