The landmark decision will apply for state football competitions (including the VFL and VFLW),elite pathway competitions (including the Coates Talent Leagues for boys and girls) and all community football competitions.
The AFL will also work with the WAFL and SANFL to encourage them to adopt the same protocols.
The league claims the shorter minimum return to play protocols for AFL and AFLW players are possible because of the “advanced care settings” available to players at AFL clubs compared to community football. AFL and AFLW listed players concussed while playing state league football will also be subject to the 12-day return to play protocol.
Twelve days is the minimum number of days an AFL or AFLW player can return to play if they safely and medically clear the 11 steps in the protocol.
In 2023,when the minimum 12-day protocol operated in both the AFL and AFLW,29% of AFL players missed more than one match following a concussion and 24% AFLW players missed more than one match following a concussion.
AFL legal counsel,Stephen Meade,said the decision was based on medical and scientific advice.
“We play a contact sport and there is always going to be risk,however over recent years we have continued to take action to strengthen match-day protocols and amend the laws of the game to discourage high contact,and we will continue to do so,” Meade said.