The AFL wishes to provide an update in relation to its investigation of the management of Harris Andrews of the Brisbane Lions under the AFL & AFLW Concussion Guidelines during Round 19.
The ARC Medical Spotters issued a mandatory off-field assessment (including SCAT6) notification to Brisbane in relation to the 3rd quarter incident involving Andrews. There was a delay in Brisbane actioning the notification from the ARC with Andrews being removed during the last quarter of the match for a SCAT6 which did not identify signs of concussion and he returned to the field. Andrews was subsequently concussed in a separate incident late in the 4th quarter of the match.
Having considered Brisbane’s submissions in relation to the management of Andrews on Sunday afternoon, the AFL has determined that the club was in breach of the AFL Concussion Protocols and have sanctioned the club $40,000.
The sanction takes into account the $10,000 suspended sanction from the previous breach by Brisbane in the 2023 NAB AFLW Grand Final, a $20,000 fine to be paid immediately (and to be included in the Soft Cap), and a $10,000 fine suspended and only payable if there is another breach in either AFL or AFLW prior to the end of the 2025.
Brisbane’s submissions described the circumstances in which the message from the ARC was missed as Brisbane’s doctors were occupied in attending to players, including Andrews, over the 3Q time break, and in the period that followed. Whilst the AFL acknowledges the demands on Club doctors in sometimes dealing with multiple concurrent injuries and other issues during a match, the Concussion Guidelines require strict adherence to protect the health and safety of our players.
“The AFL requires strict compliance of Clubs to the Concussion Guidelines to best protect the health and safety of our players”, AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said.
“Brisbane fully cooperated with our inquiries in relation to this matter and has admitted its breach and is committed to working with the AFL to improve its processes”.
“The AFL also acknowledges its role in the important task of improving player care and the new measures that have been introduced this week, including extending notifications from the ARC Medical Spotters for mandatory off-field assessment including SCAT6 to Club GM’s of Football, are part of those efforts.”
