How one concussion led to a saga forcing the AFL into a stunning backflip

Source : ABC NEWS

The AFL is embroiled in a firestorm following the serious concussion sustained by Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz, and the miscommunication that has followed.

Injuries, and in particular concussions, are relatively common in Australian rules football nowadays, so why has this incident caused so much controversy? 

Here’s what has happened so far.

Lachie Schultz concussed after brutal collision 

Schultz’s concussion occurred during the fourth quarter of Collingwood’s 14-point win over Fremantle at Perth Stadium last Thursday. 

The Magpies forward found himself in the middle of the ground and attempted to tackle Dockers defender Jordan Clark, who had possession of the ball.

As Schultz tried to apply the tackle, his head was caught in a compromising position and collided with Clark’s shoulder region.

Although Schultz was able to bring Clark to the ground, Clark was able to free himself of the tackle and dispose of the ball cleanly. 

Immediately after the tackle, Schultz lay motionless on the turf as play continued on around him for approximately 16 seconds before his teammate Jamie Elliott took a mark inside Collingwood’s attacking 50.

Clark did not face any sanctions from the AFL’s match review officer.

Schultz was tended to by Collingwood’s medical staff on the field and collapsed while attempting to run off before being slowly helped towards the interchange bench.

The umpires officiating the game were Justin Power, Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer and Martin Rodger. Meredith has umpired in 509 games and nine grand finals. Fleer has umpired in 237 games and two grand finals.

Collingwood says they wanted the play to stop 

Collingwood captain Darcy Moore was immediately critical of the umpires’ decision to allow play to continue as Schultz lay on the turf motionless, saying the incident was “rattling” to players on both teams.

“It’s pretty rattling to see when the game is on the line to have one of your heart and soul players experience a concussion like that,” he told Fox Footy after the game.

“We were pretty concerned at how severe he looked and how disorientated he looked.

“At first, players from both teams thought the game should’ve been stopped at least for 20 seconds to let him off the ground.

“That was really our first concern because of how nasty it looked.

“He was right in front of me, so I could see how much he struggled walking.

“It was a set shot anyway, so it felt like it was right in that moment (to stop the game), but clearly it only happens when it’s near the play.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Collingwood coach Craig McRae said the Magpies had initially called for a stretcher to be taken out to Schultz.

“We were all sort of worried about his welfare and we called for the stretcher, and our doctors were trying everything they can to get Lachie OK and he just jumped to his feet,” he told reporters in his press conference.

“So we did what we could, but yeah, ideally you can stop the game.”

The AFL initially says umpires did not see Schultz on the ground

The AFL released a statement last Friday, saying the only reason play had not been stopped was because the umpires had not noticed Schultz lying on the ground.

“The play can be stopped by the umpires, who are instructed to stop play as soon as they are aware there is an injured player in the vicinity of play. In last night’s match the umpires did not see the injured player at the time, so play continued,” read the statement.

“Upon review, if umpires were aware, play would have been stopped when (Nick) Daicos had possession in the middle of the ground.”

Vision contradicts league’s claim, AFL says umpires gave them ‘wrong information’

On Tuesday, the drama took a turn as Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters broadcast raw footage of the game with the umpires’ microphones playing in the background and no commentary.

In the vision, it is clear the umpires did see Schultz injured as one of them can be heard saying: “We have got an injured player in the middle. I am watching … We are OK. We are OK.”

According to veteran reporter Caroline Wilson, AFL football boss Laura Kane was “unaware” of the vision aired by Channel 7 when contacted via telephone. 

Wilson reported that Kane called in all the field umpires involved in the Collingwood-Fremantle match to be “strongly counselled”.

“I would say it was a pretty tense meeting in which the umpires were strongly reminded that they should’ve stopped the game,” she said.

“The statement we released was incorrect, but we were given the wrong information from the umpires,” Kane said in a statement provided to Channel 7.

“It’s inconsistent with the vision. They [the umpires] were going off memory and not the vision and we should always look at the vision.

“All the field umpires from the game have all been coached this afternoon that they should have stopped the game.”

Former umpire backs whistle blowers, and suggests a miscommunication inside the AFL

Former AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain, who officiated in two grand finals, offered some insight into the whole saga.

“Had they stopped the play, had they known Schultz was concussed, and when the ball was in Nick Daicos’ hands, had they stopped it then, that also would have been appropriate, OK? 

“Once the ball gets down inside-50 and Jamie Elliott has the football, (Collingwood’s) medical staff are with the injured player, and the responsibility’s handed over to the medical staff, because they’re trained in these instances.  

“So, then the umpires will be waiting on their feedback as to how to behave. They didn’t ask the play to be stopped, and they didn’t ask for a medical cart. So, everything that we’ve heard and seen is fine. I think the more intriguing element relates to the communication that has come to hand about what has or hasn’t transpired off the ground with the communications with the umpires. I’m intrigued by that.”

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Chamberlain suggested there had been a miscommunication between the AFL and the umpires in the wake of the incident.

“I haven’t spoken with Laura but, from what I’ve read and what I’ve taken in, it appears as though the AFL is intimating that somebody within the footballing department has communicated directly with the umpires to get their take on things after the game and that they’ve misled the AFL. That’s what’s being intimated,” he said.

“Why I’m confused and curious is that everything is recorded. What are we being deceitful about? When talking about the umpires, what would they be lying about? 

“I’m intrigued as to what the answer to that question is.” 

The AFL backflips on claims umpires gave ‘wrong information’, takes blame for miscommunication

Less than 24 hours after the footage aired on Channel 7, the AFL was forced into a backflip. 

The league released their third statement on this drama, and second in a day, explaining the reason the league declared the umpires did not see Schultz was not because of “wrong information” from the officials, but rather a miscommunication between the umpiring department and head office. 

 “Our process in determining what happened Thursday night failed and for that we take full responsibility,” Kane said.

“Today we have determined there was a miscommunication from members of the umpiring department, not the field umpires, which formed the basis of our initial public statement on Friday.

“Those team members have been counselled and reminded of the importance of ensuring our process is fully followed regarding these types of incidents and in this instance it was not.”

In Wednesday’s statement, Kane also said she had directed her colleague Josh Mahoney to conduct a review into the league’s processes to ensure a miscommunication such as this does not occur again.

AFL Players’ Association calls for better clarity on how to deal with injured players

Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh said he is “disappointed” in the immediate handling of a player’s injury.

“It is now clear that the umpires noticed Lachie Schultz’s injury and had the opportunity to stop the play to ensure he left the field safely,” he said.

“What this highlights to us is that the process of dealing with vital health and safety issues on the field is unclear, and there are many recent examples of the industry needing to better prepare everyone for when these situations occur.

“Equally, we are disappointed that the AFL failed to appropriately review a serious on-field incident, but acknowledge that they have taken responsibility for this.”

This statement from the association was after the AFL had blamed the field umpires for giving head office the wrong information, but before the league had walked back that claim.

What happens next?

Schultz is currently sidelined due to the AFL’s concussion protocols. As previously mentioned, Clark did not face any sanctions for his involvement in the clash, and is free to play this weekend.

The AFL is now looking into its internal processes following the miscommunication blunder that led to them claiming the field umpires had not seen Schultz, then that the umpires had given them “wrong information”, then a third statement overriding the previous two and exonerating blame from the umpires.