The Brisbane Lions have been sanctioned for a “non-deliberate” breach of the AFL concussion protocols during their thrilling Grand Final win over North Melbourne.
Sophie Conway missed most of the fourth quarter due to a concussion test as the Lions stormed home to win the AFLW flag at Ikon Park, but the process still breached league rules due to the club doctor missing a text message from the AFL concussion spotter inside the ARC.
They have been fined $10,000 with another $10,000 payable if a similar breach occurs at either AFL or AFLW level in 2024. The fine is included in the AFLW soft cap.
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With three minutes left in the third term, the spotter noticed a “motor incoordination” or stumble, but the message was not noticed by the Lions until three-quarter-time, with Conway playing out the quarter.
“When the Brisbane doctor was alerted to the message from the Spotter at the start of the 3-quarter time break, he undertook some assessment of Conway, with Conway telling the Doctor she lost balance due to physical exhaustion, rather than contact with any player,” the league said.
“Whilst the Brisbane doctor was in the process of reviewing video footage of the incident, Conway was allowed to return to the field without a SCAT5 being conducted and played the first few minutes of the 4th quarter.
“Conway was then removed from the field and subjected to a SCAT5 that did not identify any symptoms, deficits or abnormalities. Conway played out the final minutes of the match (as was the protocol available to Brisbane given the clear result of the SCAT5).
“The AFL’s concussion guidelines require strict and consistent adherence to protect the health and safety of players. Whilst Brisbane’s breach of the concussion guidelines was at the lower end of the scale (noting that Conway played only the last few minutes of the 3rd quarter and the first few minutes of the 4th quarter in breach of the guidelines and that she was ultimately cleared of any deficits or abnormalities by the SCAT5), it is important that Clubs have processes in place to avoid a breach as occurred here.”
