Comments on: Is mandatory helmet use inevitable in AFL? http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/ Your Sports Opinion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:27:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: sbb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-302999 sbb Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:19:48 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-302999 PW I think AR means that initial contact was made at the shoulder... PW

I think AR means that initial contact was made at the shoulder…

]]> By: Pippinu http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-2/#comment-201557 Pippinu Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:47:26 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-201557 I think I know which clip this is without even looking, I've seen it a few times on TV - it's pretty ordinary all right - I'm not curious enough to check if I'm right - I don't really want to see it again!! I think I know which clip this is without even looking, I’ve seen it a few times on TV – it’s pretty ordinary all right – I’m not curious enough to check if I’m right – I don’t really want to see it again!!

]]> By: Midfielder http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-2/#comment-201551 Midfielder Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:30:54 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-201551 How so the bump is not wanted because it may cause an injury ... but people will still play and accidential and on puropse bumps will be made... just as a studes up tackle in football is outside the laws of football does not mean it won't happen.... as in the youtube clip... Sometimes things just happen ... my example is exterme ... but tackleing is still allowed... How so the bump is not wanted because it may cause an injury … but people will still play and accidential and on puropse bumps will be made… just as a studes up tackle in football is outside the laws of football does not mean it won’t happen…. as in the youtube clip…

Sometimes things just happen … my example is exterme … but tackleing is still allowed…

]]> By: Pauly Walnuts http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-2/#comment-201382 Pauly Walnuts Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:08:11 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-201382 That's disgusting! A fairway off topic though. That’s disgusting! A fairway off topic though.

]]> By: Midfielder http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-2/#comment-200828 Midfielder Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:24:49 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200828 You can never take the accident out of a games natural movenment ... this is a tackle in a Football match watch from about the 26 second mark ... BTW not for the squeamish ... the second link shows the extent of the break ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSaRmAuQtAk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmarinators.net%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D4113.0&feature=player_embedded No idea if this player ever recovered but we still tackle in football... http://i32.tinypic.com/1zq7fi8.jpg You can never take the accident out of a games natural movenment … this is a tackle in a Football match watch from about the 26 second mark … BTW not for the squeamish … the second link shows the extent of the break …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSaRmAuQtAk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmarinators.net%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D4113.0&feature=player_embedded

No idea if this player ever recovered but we still tackle in football…

http://i32.tinypic.com/1zq7fi8.jpg

]]> By: Michael C http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200767 Michael C Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:31:05 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200767 dripping with sacrasm,....however, on the WA SoO example, wear a small number on their chest as well. dripping with sacrasm,….however, on the WA SoO example, wear a small number on their chest as well.

]]> By: Michael C http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200764 Michael C Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:28:44 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200764 If only every game could be umpired like they let the Grand Final each year be umpired. Alas, they (whomever 'they' are) don't do it that way. If only every game could be umpired like they let the Grand Final each year be umpired.

Alas, they (whomever ‘they’ are) don’t do it that way.

]]> By: Brett McKay http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200560 Brett McKay Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:04:57 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200560 (apologies if this post turns up twice, my network demons seem to be back) Adrian, back in June I wrote an article suggesting Wallaby Captain Stirling Mortlock should move to fullback, so as to take him out of the front line defence, and to help reduce the risk of head knocks which he's had over his career. Naturally the discussion turned to headgear, and their ability if any to reduce the impact of concussion. One of the final posters was a doctor who also talked about what he called "punch-drunk syndrome", and on the topic of headgear he added that "As far as we can tell, headgear helps, but only marginally." The Doc and several other Roarers included links to studies, and if you can overlook a little self-promotion, you can see them all at http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/04/a-switch-for-the-wallaby-captain-for-his-own-safety/ (apologies if this post turns up twice, my network demons seem to be back)

Adrian, back in June I wrote an article suggesting Wallaby Captain Stirling Mortlock should move to fullback, so as to take him out of the front line defence, and to help reduce the risk of head knocks which he’s had over his career.

Naturally the discussion turned to headgear, and their ability if any to reduce the impact of concussion. One of the final posters was a doctor who also talked about what he called “punch-drunk syndrome”, and on the topic of headgear he added that “As far as we can tell, headgear helps, but only marginally.”

The Doc and several other Roarers included links to studies, and if you can overlook a little self-promotion, you can see them all at http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/04/a-switch-for-the-wallaby-captain-for-his-own-safety/

]]> By: Brett McKay http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200554 Brett McKay Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:46:34 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200554 maybe Redb the players should wear unique numbers to identify them... maybe Redb the players should wear unique numbers to identify them…

]]> By: Pauly Walnuts http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200540 Pauly Walnuts Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:15:47 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200540 I think it is a worthwhile discussion. It's very unlikely to ever go ahead, but you raise the fact that through the administration of the game Demetriou et al has led us down the track of considering/ discussing such matters. My issue is that plenty of players have taken a knock to the head during the game, and free kicks have been awarded but no action at the tribunal. It almost seems that the AFL are looking at the degree of a players injuries and imposing a sanction to the player causing the damage. If Sewell had gotten up from the hit, wiped off some blood etc and played out the rest of the game, would Lloyd have copped weeks? (I'm certainly not a Lloyd fan by the way). The AFL have seen the injury caused and imposed a penalty reflecting the nature of the injury. So to be fair, little knocks to the head when you go to tackle a player and they duck, so the tackle goes high, should result in penalties also. They aren't necessarily intentional high tackles, but if high contact is made shouldn't a penalty be imposed by the tribunal??? I think it is a worthwhile discussion. It’s very unlikely to ever go ahead, but you raise the fact that through the administration of the game Demetriou et al has led us down the track of considering/ discussing such matters. My issue is that plenty of players have taken a knock to the head during the game, and free kicks have been awarded but no action at the tribunal. It almost seems that the AFL are looking at the degree of a players injuries and imposing a sanction to the player causing the damage. If Sewell had gotten up from the hit, wiped off some blood etc and played out the rest of the game, would Lloyd have copped weeks? (I’m certainly not a Lloyd fan by the way). The AFL have seen the injury caused and imposed a penalty reflecting the nature of the injury. So to be fair, little knocks to the head when you go to tackle a player and they duck, so the tackle goes high, should result in penalties also. They aren’t necessarily intentional high tackles, but if high contact is made shouldn’t a penalty be imposed by the tribunal???

]]> By: Pauly Walnuts http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200533 Pauly Walnuts Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:07:38 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200533 Do you mean "over the shoulder"? Otherwise can you tell me what you mean by "off" the shoulder as I aint hearing that when I watch the footy? Do you mean “over the shoulder”? Otherwise can you tell me what you mean by “off” the shoulder as I aint hearing that when I watch the footy?

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200132 Redb Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:23:39 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200132 I tell you one thing it would be a nightmare for commentators and fans trying to pick out the players and umps would be buggered with their Brownlow votes unable to sight the blondy or ranga who dashes off half back. :-) Redb I tell you one thing it would be a nightmare for commentators and fans trying to pick out the players and umps would be buggered with their Brownlow votes unable to sight the blondy or ranga who dashes off half back. :-)

Redb

]]> By: AndyRoo http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200110 AndyRoo Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:59:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200110 If there consistent witht he rule, touch the head and youa re gone then players will either stop bumping or much more likely will develop techniques/change their game so that the bump makes contact much lower and is done in a more controlled manor. When rugby league brought in the head high tackle rule there were teething problems and people complaining in a very similar manner to what is happening now in AFL, but no doubt the game is better for it now. The amount of times we hear "oh come on that was off the shoulder" and "you cant help that", but palyers adapted and it turns out you can play football without hitting someones head. If there consistent witht he rule, touch the head and youa re gone then players will either stop bumping or much more likely will develop techniques/change their game so that the bump makes contact much lower and is done in a more controlled manor.

When rugby league brought in the head high tackle rule there were teething problems and people complaining in a very similar manner to what is happening now in AFL, but no doubt the game is better for it now.

The amount of times we hear “oh come on that was off the shoulder” and “you cant help that”, but palyers adapted and it turns out you can play football without hitting someones head.

]]> By: megatron http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200078 megatron Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:18:47 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200078 No doubt it would decrease concussions etc but I can't see it happening. There will be real resistance from players and fans. At one point I thought it inevitable that the AFL would go down that path in the long term but they don't seem to be interested No doubt it would decrease concussions etc but I can’t see it happening. There will be real resistance from players and fans. At one point I thought it inevitable that the AFL would go down that path in the long term but they don’t seem to be interested

]]> By: CraigB http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200066 CraigB Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:59:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200066 Since American football introduced the hard shell helmet, originally for protection, concussion have continued to rise. This is in part because coaches now saw them as a weapon and made players use their heads to stop the oppn. Also the false sense of protection lead to sloppy techniques in tackling and blocking meaning more problems. Since American football introduced the hard shell helmet, originally for protection, concussion have continued to rise. This is in part because coaches now saw them as a weapon and made players use their heads to stop the oppn. Also the false sense of protection lead to sloppy techniques in tackling and blocking meaning more problems.

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200033 Redb Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:22:19 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200033 The only thing that is mandatory in AFL footy is courage to put your head over the ball. Redb The only thing that is mandatory in AFL footy is courage to put your head over the ball.

Redb

]]> By: simonjzw http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-200029 simonjzw Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:18:26 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-200029 Adrian, there has been considerable research in both Rugby Union and Rugby League that shows helmets do not prevent concussion. The helmets do protect the ears and help prevent head lacerations but these injuries aren't as prevalent in the AFL. Therefore there is no medical case for them to be made compulsory. In a body contact game occasionally a head injury through collision is going to happen, get over it. Adrian, there has been considerable research in both Rugby Union and Rugby League that shows helmets do not prevent concussion. The helmets do protect the ears and help prevent head lacerations but these injuries aren’t as prevalent in the AFL.

Therefore there is no medical case for them to be made compulsory.

In a body contact game occasionally a head injury through collision is going to happen, get over it.

]]> By: Freud of Football http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-199970 Freud of Football Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:04:23 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-199970 It was mandatory for juniors at the club I played for to wear helmets, I was in my last year of U16's when they bought the rule in and boy did we cop it from the other teams and to be perfectly honest, I don't think it helped much. One of my teammates had his head over the ball and got an accidental knee to the forehead, just below the helmet, cracked his skull and eyesocket so there was little use in him wearing it. Helmets simply aren't the answer, the game has been played for long enough without them, the answer is to let the players get on with the game. I was astounded after being overseas for just two years how soft the game had gotten in such a short time period, no doubt due to the AFL's constant tinkering with the rules in the hope they'll "improve their product". They seem to forget, it's not "their product", the game is the people's and the AFL needs to stop screwing around with it. It was mandatory for juniors at the club I played for to wear helmets, I was in my last year of U16′s when they bought the rule in and boy did we cop it from the other teams and to be perfectly honest, I don’t think it helped much.

One of my teammates had his head over the ball and got an accidental knee to the forehead, just below the helmet, cracked his skull and eyesocket so there was little use in him wearing it.

Helmets simply aren’t the answer, the game has been played for long enough without them, the answer is to let the players get on with the game. I was astounded after being overseas for just two years how soft the game had gotten in such a short time period, no doubt due to the AFL’s constant tinkering with the rules in the hope they’ll “improve their product”.

They seem to forget, it’s not “their product”, the game is the people’s and the AFL needs to stop screwing around with it.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/comment-page-1/#comment-199968 Kurt Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:53:37 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=22936#comment-199968 No. Next question? No. Next question?

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