The return of the AFL season has put a spotlight on the concussion protocols of local and national leagues.

This week, the AFL moved to impose new guidelines for community-level football players nationwide.

The Western Australian Football Commission had already enacted this protocol in February. The policy outlines a minimum 21-day period before a player can return to play in a competitive game and a 14-day rest before they can resume contact training.

WAFC Executive Manager of Game Development and Community Troy Kirkham says the change was “about prioritising the health and safety” of players.

Last year, concussions were highlighted after a number of former AFL players launched a class action lawsuit about injuries sustained throughout their professional careers.

East Perth Football Club player Darcy Miller has had seven concussions while playing. He says risk of concussion is always on a player’s mind during a game.

“Off the field I was thinking about the future and whether the next would be the tipping point, ” he says.

“After concussion, you’re disorientated and not focused on life, it can take a couple of weeks for you to switch back into gear.”

SportsWest Member and Partnerships Manager Matt Bamford runs a concussion working group. The group was established to examine what sporting organisations, including the AFL, are doing to manage concussions in community leagues and how to help people better understand the issue.

Matt Bamford says the changes to guidelines will be help in the long run.

The new concussion protocol will have an impact on how clubs and players approach and adapt to a player getting concussed and the period before they can return to play.

The WAFC has been a leader in addressing the issue of concussion having previously introduced the ‘blue card’ allowing umpires to send off players who they believe are concussed for a health check.

The WAFC has implemented mouth guards that monitor the head acceleration and provide an analysis based on a ‘red flag’ system.

The guards are being used by male and female players from as young as 12.

Troy Kirkham says players, coaches and clubs have been receptive to the changes.

“We are hopeful that data will help guide us in making really informed decisions around concussion and what we are doing about the rules and regulations of the game,” he says.

“The feedback we are getting is that people are understanding the significance of concussions.”

For concussion advice and support visit Connectivity Australia.