The AFL have issued a ‘please explain’ to Port Adelaide over their handling of a sickening head clash between teammates Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones during Saturday night’s loss to Adelaide.
The two players were involved in a brutal collision during the second quarter with Jones subbed out with a migraine and Aliir returning to the field.
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Jones underwent a SCAT5 test, which takes 15 minutes, but Aliir didn’t and was back playing just six minutes later.
Both players have since presented with concussion symptoms and subsequently ruled out of this weekend’s massive clash against Geelong.
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Port Adelaide’s club doctor Mark Fisher admitted Aliir should have undergone a SCAT5 test immediately following the collision.
“Lachie was tested during the game and after it, then again on Sunday. We have continued to monitor him and after further testing this morning he has entered the concussion protocols out of an abundance of caution,” Fisher said.
Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones after the sickening clash. Credit: Getty Images
“Like Lachie, Aliir’s condition was the subject of testing both on Saturday night after the game and since.
“However, upon reviewing the vision of the incident again, Aliir should have undergone SCAT testing at the time immediately following the collision.
“Both Lachie and Aliir will have a gradual return to play as per the AFL’s concussion management guidelines.”
The club’s handling of the incident will continue to be investigated by the AFL.
“The AFL has issued the Port Adelaide Football Club with a please explain regarding the concussion protocol management of Aliir Aliir, specifically in relation to the club’s decision not to undertake a SCAT5 concussion test following the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) that occurred during the third quarter of Saturday night’s showdown at Adelaide Oval. Aliir returned to play after the initial HIA without a SCAT5 being undertaken,” an AFL statement read on Monday.
“Both players will now need to undertake and medically pass the mandatory 11-step, minimum 12-day process before returning to play. The AFL’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael Makdissi will continue to liaise with Port Adelaide Club doctors in the monitoring both players’ progress.”