A FORMER football teammate of mine was wandering aimlessly around the desalination plant in Wonthaggi when a work colleague approached and asked him if he was okay.
“Where am I?” he responded.
It was not the first time he had found himself in a state of confusion – he had privately noticed these moments happening more regularly.
But not knowing where he was or what he was doing on a dangerous work site was frightening enough for him to finally seek help.
He was told by multiple doctors (he sought second and third opinions) to never play football again.
He was a star country footballer and one of the most courageous I have ever played with, but multiple concussions had taken a devastating toll.
It’s not been an easy road for him since.
Mood swings, poor decisions and depression followed.
Both his marriage and business fell apart.
Was it all concussion related?
That’s difficult to know.
But something changed.
My mate’s footy career ended more than 20 years ago, in very different times, when getting knocked out was almost a badge of honour to a footballer’s courage.
I remember countless times when guys would be lauded for their toughness for returning to the field less than an hour after a heavy head knock.
It would never happen now, but did we know any better at the time?
Last week, a class action involving 60 former AFL players kicked off in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Dual Geelong premiership player Max Rooke is the lead plaintiff in the action which alleges that Rooke, 41, has suffered permanent, life-altering injuries as a result of concussion-related injuries and due to the negligence of the AFL.
It will be a fascinating case given it relates to a different time.
Darren Kane, chair of the Combat Sports Authority of NSW, had this viewpoint: “If the plaintiff players didn’t perceive and fully accept the risks they were taking in playing AFL in the 1980s and ’90s, for example, what probative evidence exists to show that those running the game at the time actually knew more?
“It’s insufficient just to demonstrate that a player was permanently damaged playing AFL.
“It’s necessary also to prove what the defendants knew, when they knew it, and what they did or didn’t do once armed with that knowledge.”
The AFL concussion class action was launched just hours after the AFL released updated concussion guidelines and a five-year strategic plan emphasising the need for players to carefully move through all 11 steps of the return-to-play program.
The protocols are now far more strict, with mandatory concussion tests for any head knock and doctor’s clearance required before a player can return to play.
Even in country leagues, it’s no longer considered tough to return to the field after a head knock; it’s simply ruled out.
What was once labelled bravado is now classified as, well, stupid.
AFL is not the only dangerous sport in the world and those who play it are aware of the risks.
But that means great responsibility falls on the governing bodies to ensure the health and safety of players.
Last weekend in the AFL there were a series of head-high bumps that resulted in player suspensions.
The AFL is right to stamp out these actions and send a clear message.
In my opinion, the suspensions could have been harsher.
Local footy tribunals need to follow suit and be strong in their convictions.
We must protect the victims – and not go soft on the offenders – to protect the game.
My old team mate played in a bygone era.
We want our kids to play in a better one.
