AFL

'Additional safeguard': AFL makes concussion changes

Mar 5, 2026

Independent doctors have been given greater powers to deal with concussed players in the AFL. -AAP Image

The AFL has given an independent doctor greater powers to remove a concussed player from the field.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

In a change to the protocols in the AFL and AFLW, an independent doctor in the AFL review centre (ARC) will now be able to over-ride club doctors.

The independent doctor, known as the ARC medical spotter, already had powers to mandate the temporary removal of a player for detailed concussion assessments.

The medical spotter can now also mandate the permanent removal of the player from a game, which had previously been determined by club doctors.

Under the change, if a club doctor cleared a player to return to action, they must now notify the independent medical spotter for a determination.

"The health and safety of our players is our top priority" the AFL's football operations manager Laura Kane said in a statement on Thursday.

"And this additional safeguard for players and club doctors reinforces that commitment.

"Concussion continues to be an extremely complex and evolving subject and we have continued to update our guidelines to ensure they reflect the latest medical and scientific advice."

The changes will take effect from Thursday's season opener of the AFL premiership season.

The AFL is facing a class action from more than 60 former players. Geelong's retired premiership player Max Rooke is the lead plaintiff in the case, which seeks compensation for alleged damage suffered due to concussion to players in the league from 1985 to early 2023.