Concussion Management
Kew Comets' Concussion Management Policy
The Kew Junior Football Club (Kew Comets) takes the welfare of all our players, past and present, very seriously. We have always taken a conservative approach to managing head knocks and, per AFL Guidelines - The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football - enforce a mandatory minimum 21-day return to play if a player is diagnosed with concussion.
The earliest that a player suffering a concussion can return to play is on the 21st day post-concussion incident, provided they get medical clearance.
ALL players with a suspected concussion need a prompt medical assessment with a registered medical doctor. This assessment can be provided by a medical doctor present at the venue, a local general practitioner or a hospital emergency department. Ideally, this is done within 24-48 hours of the incident.
Kew Comets players will not be permitted to resume participation in matches until they have provided the club with written evidence from their GP that they have been cleared of having a concussion.
During this time, it is required that players follow the Four Stages of Return to Play Protocol
The YJFL Injury Protocol is as follows:
https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2025-03/5A_STAGESofGRADEDreturn.pdf
The YJFL Injury Protocol is as follows:
- Club trainers to follow AFL protocols and use the HeadCheck App to assess the likelihood of concussion. The app is also available free for parents and others.
- The YJFL will allocate and cover costs for Colbrow Medics at select YJFL venues.
- The Colbrow Medic will complete a report on every injury they are made aware of at the venue, and these reports will be made available to the YJFL by 9am on the Monday morning following each round.
- When the injury is a head knock, the medic will also complete a Concussion Management Tool Form, which will also be available to the YJFL.
- The YJFL will phone the parents of select injured players in the week following the match to follow up on the injury.
- Parents and players should seek professional medical advice to determine when it will be appropriate to return to play.
- Parents and carers must ensure adherence to AFL Guidelines - The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football - and enforce a mandatory minimum 21-day return to play if a player is diagnosed with concussion. The earliest that a player suffering a concussion can return to play is on the 21st day post-concussion incident, provided they get medical clearance from a registered medical practitioner.
- ALL players with a suspected concussion need a prompt medical assessment with a registered medical doctor. This assessment can be provided by a medical doctor present at the venue, a local general practitioner or a hospital emergency department.