Border physiotherapist supports AFL's decision to extend return to play protocol from concussion

Chris Oats, of Enhance Physiotherapy Albury-Wodonga, said the Border service manages concussion prevention and recovery for several football clubs, including Albury Tigers, and believes the AFL's decision to alter the return to play from concussion period from six up to 12 days was the right call.

Research has shown recovery from concussion takes a minimum of 10 days, with or without symptoms.

"It just makes it so much easier on clubs too because they don't have to make the decision or rely on external factors," Oats said.

"They could then say 'that's league rules and that's what has to happen' and don't have to worry about a player saying 'we've got an important game this week and I have to play because the team needs me'."

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Oats said the clubs they work with must sit players out for at least 10 days if they've found to have had a concussion.

"The biggest thing we fought initially was '10 days is a long time' because you definitely miss one and sometimes miss two games," he said.

"It's trying to get players on board with that and really understanding the severity of a concussion with that secondary impact syndrome.

"Seeing it at AFL level will make it so much easier to filter down to grassroots footy and get the message out."

While the changes only apply to elite AFL and AFLW competitions, community level guidelines will be explored further given the complexity of so many leagues and the implications.

Oats said the clinic would assess at least one concussion a fortnight in a football season and would be interested to see if more are reported this year.

"It's mandatory for all Albury (Tigers) players from juniors to seniors to do screening," he said.

"There's baseline screening so if they think there might have been a concussion, they'll sit players out and come into us. We'll compare them to their baselines.

"If they've had a concussion we put them on a management pathway which takes a minimum of 10 days to reach because you need 24 hours in between each step."

"Once they've passed all that we send a letter to their GP and the GP clears them.

"Apart from the signs and symptoms of it, it relies on a player being a little honest.

"If it's more accepted, it will be easier to get the results we want, which is player safety."