Players ‘disappointed’ in AFL, call for safety rethink

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Players ‘disappointed’ in AFL, call for safety rethink

The AFL is under fire over its health and safety processes following the mishandling of a concussion.

AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh has slammed the league after it was revealed umpires saw Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz on the ground in pain against Fremantle, but didn’t stop play.

AFL football boss Laura Kane has taken responsibility for the situation after becoming aware umpires had noticed Schultz was injured.

The umpires involved had initially told the AFL they couldn’t remember seeing the Magpies forward in trouble following a collision with Dockers defender Jordan Clark.

“It is now clear that the umpires noticed Lachie Schultz’s injury and had the opportunity to stop the play to ensure he left the field safely,” said Marsh, after on-field audio was leaked of the umpires discussing Schultz at the time.

“What this highlights to us is that the process of dealing with vital health and safety issues on the field is unclear, and there are many recent examples of the industry needing to better prepare everyone for when these situations occur.

“Equally, we are disappointed that the AFL failed to appropriately review a serious on-field incident, but acknowledge that they have taken responsibility for this.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the industry to continually strengthen health and safety protocols for our members.”

It is the latest in a series of bungled incidents over on-field injuries in the past 12 months.

Melbourne star Christian Petracca was allowed back on to the field despite clearly being distressed in the 2024 King’s Birthday match against Collingwood.

It was later found Petracca had suffered life-threatening injuries following an accidental knee to his back from Magpies captain Darcy Moore.

Geelong ace Jeremy Cameron refused to come off the ground against Port Adelaide when approached by doctors following a head knock. He was later diagnosed with concussion.

More recently, play wasn’t stopped when Essendon tall Harry Jones was lying on the ground in pain with a dislocated ankle against North Melbourne.

Kane admitted the first AFL statement released about the Schultz incident was “incorrect, but we were given the wrong information from the umpires”.

The umpire fraternity is privately seething about the fallout from the situation.

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