Demons v Magpies LIVE: Big Freeze slide to kick off at 2pm as Melbourne, Collingwood do battle in MCG King’s Birthday clash; Cerra cleared of delayed concussion; Durham awaits fate

Carlton midfielder Adam Cerra woke up on Monday without any delayed concussion symptoms from last night’s brutal front-on bump from Sam Durham.

Durham will learn his match-review fate on Monday afternoon, but the industry consensus, including from Blues coach Michael Voss, is that the Bomber is in trouble.

Carlton are confident they handled Cerra’s situation appropriately, from an initial on-ground test immediately afterwards that cleared him to keep playing, to the head injury assessment they performed almost 15 minutes later as an “absolute precaution”.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who finished with 24 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances and seven tackles, also passed the HIA and returned after half-time.

Voss told reporters on Monday night that they would continue to monitor Cerra in the days ahead.
Former Melbourne great Garry Lyon was critical of the delay in Cerra undergoing the HIA on Fox Footy’s coverage.

An AFL spokesperson confirmed to this masthead that the league would not publicly address the Blues’ handling of the incident until the round review was completed on Tuesday.

Speaking post-match, Voss said he was unsure if there was any AFL intervention, but that they assessed Cerra straightaway.

“We probably took quite a cautious approach and did the HIA [later], so we followed that through,” Voss said.

“Once those two processes are done; it’s pretty clear from there. I would have thought the incident is probably more the conversation for me.

“I think it’s pretty black and white – you just can’t do that any more.”

The irony of Neale Daniher is that since he became non-verbal his voice has got louder.

A journalist and noted after-dinner speaker agreed once to address an AFL team and he asked how long he should speak for. Fifteen minutes? Twenty? He was told, “If you hold them for five, you are Churchill”.

Australian of the Year and FightMND campaigner Daniher spoke – through his technology and his daughter Bec – at length with Melbourne players this week. They were in thrall.

He has spoken annually to the Melbourne players, and indeed to those at Collingwood ahead of the Big Freeze match, and he regularly talks to other clubs, too. No one tunes out. His ability to resonate has got keener.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn said while Daniher’s one-liners had changed over the years, the fundamental message he delivered had not.

“They’re all relatively inspirational, but similar at the same time. They are about team before me. He is the definition of selfless, which is great for the football world,” Gawn said.

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