Concussion

[westy]

Last night on Four Corners was a feature on the effects of concussion on AFL an NRL footballers and it was quite alarming. The story featured a U.S. High School football team and the head injuries sustained by the younger players. It seems that a player can suffer brain damage without having ever been concussed! That is, they don't necessarily have to be knocked out by the impact to suffer the damage. I can't help worry about guys like Riewoldt, Lenny. Jones and even Ball and the Sellwoods, who have have all had some kind of head impact over the years. Even more concerning for me is Koschitzke who was take out buy low dog Giannsircusa years ago. We all saw what happened later while he was being interviewed by Schwartz. For a while now I have felt that he was never the same after that hit. It's all very well that various fuckwits like Brad Hardy etc., have a laugh at his expense because he has no 'awareness' but now I have to wonder.

If you have't seen the story, it is on the ABC iview

[GrumpyOne]

Last night on Four Corners was a feature on the effects of concussion on AFL an NRL footballers and it was quite alarming. The story featured a U.S. High School football team and the head injuries sustained by the younger players. It seems that a player can suffer brain damage without having ever been concussed! That is, they don't necessarily have to be knocked out by the impact to suffer the damage. I can't help worry about guys like Riewoldt, Lenny. Jones and even Ball and the Sellwoods, who have have all had some kind of head impact over the years. Even more concerning for me is Koschitzke who was take out buy low dog Giannsircusa years ago. We all saw what happened later while he was being interviewed by Schwartz. For a while now I have felt that he was never the same after that hit. It's all very well that various fuckwits like Brad Hardy etc., have a laugh at his expense because he has no 'awareness' but now I have to wonder.

If you have't seen the story, it is on the ABC iview

Any competitive sport has it's drawbacks on the body over time. Just ask my missus who has to tolerate me richocheting off the walls every morning, until I get my knee and ankle joints working properly.

Helmets in Yankee football were originally used as protection; now they are used as another weapon against an opponent. I don't think for that reason protective helmets is an answer, but brain injury amongst footballers in general is a concern.

You have a point though. There is no doubt that Kosi is a different player post collision than pre. Whether this would have happened naturally over his development or not is a subject for conjecture.

[Junction Oval]

Yes it's a real worry. That's why the AFL are trying to slow the game down.
"Protecting the head" is the cry and so it should be. However, you can't avoid the occasional major "collision" and that is where the real damage can be done. Not only the head, but also the spine - ask Neil Cordy, ex Footscray player about it. Nathan Burke with his soft helmet, obviously had problems (oh dear, he is now a Saints board member !!).

Sometimes I go to Etihad with a mate who has reserved seats right on the boundary. When the play gets close, the intensity and high impact contact is quite frightening and much higher than years ago. It's one reason why soccer is becoming more popular with young kids - parents can see the risks.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. "Soft helmets" could be a posible consideration in the future, but that will not avoid the "impact" on the head and spine.

[Dr Spaceman]

Yes it's a real worry. That's why the AFL are trying to slow the game down.
"Protecting the head" is the cry and so it should be. However, you can't avoid the occasional major "collision" and that is where the real damage can be done. Not only the head, but also the spine - ask Neil Cordy, ex Footscray player about it. Nathan Burke with his soft helmet, obviously had problems (oh dear, he is now a Saints board member !!).

Sometimes I go to Etihad with a mate who has reserved seats right on the boundary. When the play gets close, the intensity and high impact contact is quite frightening and much higher than years ago. It's one reason why soccer is becoming more popular with young kids - parents can see the risks.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. "Soft helmets" could be a posible consideration in the future, but that will not avoid the "impact" on the head and spine.

What about Phil Narkle helmets?

[St Lenny]

Last night on Four Corners was a feature on the effects of concussion on AFL an NRL footballers and it was quite alarming. The story featured a U.S. High School football team and the head injuries sustained by the younger players. It seems that a player can suffer brain damage without having ever been concussed! That is, they don't necessarily have to be knocked out by the impact to suffer the damage. I can't help worry about guys like Riewoldt, Lenny. Jones and even Ball and the Sellwoods, who have have all had some kind of head impact over the years. Even more concerning for me is Koschitzke who was take out buy low dog Giannsircusa years ago. We all saw what happened later while he was being interviewed by Schwartz. For a while now I have felt that he was never the same after that hit. It's all very well that various fuckwits like Brad Hardy etc., have a laugh at his expense because he has no 'awareness' but now I have to wonder.

If you have't seen the story, it is on the ABC iview

You are very right Westy, I have never and will never forgive that dog Giannsircusa for what he did. And Koz hasnt been the same. I met a girl a couple of weeks ago whose father played for St Kilda many years ago who got a head bump that turned into a tumour. Not only could he not play footy again it totally wrecked his life, poor bugger. Its a real concern.

[Junction Oval]

Good one Doc, I forgot about Phil's helmet.

[Maxstar22]

I have said ever since Kosi returned from the Gia hit that he wasn't the same man/player.

IMO he seems to striggle to see under lights and sometimes seems to have a brain fade (for want of a better word).

Only a couple of weeks ago, he was standing in from of us on the wing and he was just gazing up into the stands. He seemed to be in another world and then someone yelled out "Wake Up Kosi" and he snapped out of it and he even looked for a brief moment that he had nfi where he was.

[Dr Spaceman]

I have said ever since Kosi returned from the Gia hit that he wasn't the same man/player.

IMO he seems to striggle to see under lights and sometimes seems to have a brain fade (for want of a better word).

Only a couple of weeks ago, he was standing in from of us on the wing and he was just gazing up into the stands. He seemed to be in another world and then someone yelled out "Wake Up Kosi" and he snapped out of it and he even looked for a brief moment that he had nfi where he was.

He also appeared to be a bit out of it during the team song last Saturday.

Then again, he did get knocked around a bit.

Then again, that may just be Kosi

[Junction Oval]

Watched a late night replay of the Four Corners programme.

Got the feeling that we know very very little about the serious consequences of not only concussion, but "any" heavy knocks to the head.

If in doubt re. hard knocks to the head, players must be rested the following week.

[dcstkfc]

Augurs well for Jason Gram

[Pwoit]

What about Phil Narkle helmets?

It was a beauty

[Junction Oval]

That's greeat Pwoit. I forgot how big the hat was. Must have been very hot to wear.

In those days, he must have copped a lot of comment on the field about it, particularly to do with his courage!

[Dr Spaceman]

What about Phil Narkle helmets?

It was a beauty

It was indeed sensational.

Of course these days you'd need to have a second one to coordinate with the clash strip

[saintjake]

Why the bagging of Gia?
It was a beautiful hip and shoulder Kosi had no awareness of him coming

[Richter]

Why the bagging of Gia?
It was a beautiful hip and shoulder Kosi had no awareness of him coming

Wash your mouth out. Fine to shepherd, but picking a guy off by blindsiding him and spiking his head with your shoulder is low.

Kosi never been the same since then.

[St Lenny]

Why the bagging of Gia?
It was a beautiful hip and shoulder Kosi had no awareness of him coming

You are kidding right, was a dog act, if it had of been Bakes, he would have got life

[Thinline]

Why the bagging of Gia?
It was a beautiful hip and shoulder Kosi had no awareness of him coming

Was pretty horrible. High and from behind. Unnecessary at best. Definitely cowardly.

See beauty in that and you've got a screw loose.