AFL 2023: Port’s handling of sickening head clash exposes the failure of the league’s concussion management system, says Peter Jess

Peter Jess, a player advocate, has blasted the AFL for its "not fit for purpose" concussion protocol following another failure.

Player advocates Peter Jess called Port Adelaide's response to the collision between Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones' heads a "watershed moment" for the game's concussion guidelines and practices.

For failing to "undertake a SCAT5 concussion test" following Aliir's initial head-injury assessment in Saturday night's Showdown, the AFL issued a please explain to the Power on Monday.

Port Adelaide's team physician, Mark Fisher, said he made a mistake by clearing Aliir to play again before he underwent a SCAT5 concussion test.

On Monday, Aliir and Jones were both placed in concussion protocols, which meant they couldn't play in Saturday's must-win game against Geelong.

On Monday, the team announced that despite both players complaining of headaches, they had passed concussion tests.

On Saturday night, Port Adelaide announced that Jones had passed the SCAT5 exam; nevertheless, he was replaced for the Showdown due to a migraine.

Former player and longtime concussion activist Jess has stated that the AFL's concussion protocols are "not fit for purpose." Jess is part of a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of former players against the AFL for their handling of concussions.

When two players who have been knocked unconscious can be cleared to return to play on the same day, it shows how inefficient the AFL's concussion evaluation and management system is, Jess said.

That's like saying, 'As if you can have someone knocked out cold, recover in 20 minutes, and then sit out not because they're concussed but because they have a migraine.

"It is a system failure, this is a watershed moment for the AFL because what it has done is expose the absurdity of their concussion management system."

The Power is currently trying to provide the AFL with the information it has asked regarding the events of Saturday night.

The AFL is set to penalise the Power for its handling of the head clash.

Jess stated that it has to be the catalyst for change.

"Boxing is considered one of the most barbaric contact sports, but it has better concussion assessment and management than the AFL," he explained.

If you are knocked out cold, you will be placed on indefinite standdown for 30 days.

As one player put it, "In the AFL you can be knocked unconscious and return to play."