Helmets won't prevent brain trauma and the movement of the brain after a blow.

...

Yes they will. Depends on the type of helmet. Imagine a helmet made of 2 feet of bubble-wrap. It would absorb the energy of the blow well before it got to the head let alone the brain. What is needed is a say 4cm thick soft helmet made of some hi-tech material which absorbs energy. Will certainly help in accidental knees to the head like Jeta had.

Boxers use them and the reason why it is not 100% effective for them is because getting the head continually pummelled is the 'sport'. In AFL it is only incidental (except when playing Hodge). AFL already has rules which limit players using their heads as battering rams and head high contact, so it is not like the hard helmets or their use in gridiron.

Yes they will. Depends on the type of helmet. Imagine a helmet made of 2 feet of bubble-wrap. It would absorb the energy of the blow well before it got to the head let alone the brain. What is needed is a say 4cm thick soft helmet made of some hi-tech material which absorbs energy. Will certainly help in accidental knees to the head like Jeta had.

Boxers use them and the reason why it is not 100% effective for them is because getting the head continually pummelled is the 'sport'. In AFL it is only incidental (except when playing Hodge). AFL already has rules which limit players using their heads as battering rams and head high contact, so it is not like the hard helmets or their use in gridiron.

its not the strength of the blow that causes the concussion. strength causes fractures and yes a helmet helps in that regard

its the sudden change in velocity that causes concussion. its the sloshing around of the brain inside the skull like water in a bucket. it doesn't stop moving when the skull does

its not the strength of the blow that causes the concussion. strength causes fractures and yes a helmet helps in that regard

its the sudden change in velocity that causes concussion. its the sloshing around of the brain inside the skull like water in a bucket. it doesn't stop moving when the skull does

I can think of a better analogy dc.

its not the strength of the blow that causes the concussion. strength causes fractures and yes a helmet helps in that regard

its the sudden change in velocity that causes concussion. its the sloshing around of the brain inside the skull like water in a bucket. it doesn't stop moving when the skull does

A bicycle helmet stops injuries because its material acts as a crumple zone that reduces sloshing around. Foam helmets do a similar thing, though obviously not as effectively. Helmets would reduce concussion rates in the AFL as long as players didn't use them as an excuse to go even harder at one another.

Yes they will. Depends on the type of helmet. Imagine a helmet made of 2 feet of bubble-wrap. It would absorb the energy of the blow well before it got to the head let alone the brain. What is needed is a say 4cm thick soft helmet made of some hi-tech material which absorbs energy. Will certainly help in accidental knees to the head like Jeta had.

Boxers use them and the reason why it is not 100% effective for them is because getting the head continually pummelled is the 'sport'. In AFL it is only incidental (except when playing Hodge). AFL already has rules which limit players using their heads as battering rams and head high contact, so it is not like the hard helmets or their use in gridiron.

Boxers use them mainly to avoid cuts...

A bicycle helmet stops injuries because its material acts as a crumple zone that reduces sloshing around. Foam helmets do a similar thing, though obviously not as effectively. Helmets would reduce concussion rates in the AFL as long as players didn't use them as an excuse to go even harder at one another.

most concussions are where the head at velocity meets a solid (immovable) object and has nowhere else to go

in football that is usually the ground

in street fights it is often the concrete paving

sure there can be other factors that affect it too

tests have shown that in those circumstances the small amount of padding or crumple area in a comfortable sports head gear has minimal effect

also bear in mind the afl could never allow a solid helmet unless it was mandatory for all players (e.g. nfl) and even then players would need extra padding on different areas of the body as well

the only option for a voluntary helmet would be a soft one and the practical amount of padding would provide minimal help in concussion situations

this has been borne out in many published studies

most concussions are where the head at velocity meets a solid (immovable) object and has nowhere else to go

in football that is usually the ground

in street fights it is often the concrete paving

sure there can be other factors that affect it too

tests have shown that in those circumstances the small amount of padding or crumple area in a comfortable sports head gear has minimal effect

also bear in mind the afl could never allow a solid helmet unless it was mandatory for all players (e.g. nfl) and even then players would need extra padding on different areas of the body as well

the only option for a voluntary helmet would be a soft one and the practical amount of padding would provide minimal help in concussion situations

this has been borne out in many published studies

Thanks professor Wikipedia.

Thanks professor Wikipedia.

Isn't that Raven Symone, who played Olivia on the Cosby Show?

Edited May 6, 201510 yr by Redleg

It's been a while since I've looked at this type of literature, but a quick google and read of some of the articles suggest that evidence is still lacking that helmets/protective head gear provide any benefit with regards to concussion.

Not our list, but Jared Polec of the Power is out for at least two months with a stress fracture in his navicular.

It isn't just us!!!

Best wishes to the kid, great player.

A bicycle helmet stops injuries because its material acts as a crumple zone that reduces sloshing around. Foam helmets do a similar thing, though obviously not as effectively. Helmets would reduce concussion rates in the AFL as long as players didn't use them as an excuse to go even harder at one another.

Teams and players adapt to circumstances. I expect they would go harder. An example of a rule change which has inadvertently (and, I admit, arguably) increased injuries is the interchange rule. Because it allows players to "recharge" over short periods, they are now expected to go faster and harder for short bursts which leads to greater impact in collisions. (For what it's worth, and off topic, I wonder whether it's time to abolish interchange altogether and replace it with a bench of 6 substitutes.)

Chris Dawes and Dom Tyson are said to be set to play against the Hawks on Saturday. Jack Viney is 1 to 2 weeks away from playing.

Injury list: round six

Sam Frost (toe) – 4-6 weeks

Dean Kent (hamstring) – 8 weeks

Christian Petracca (knee) – season

Jack Trengove (foot) – season

Jack Viney (fibula) – 1-2 weeks

Dawes and Tyson are OK then. That is some good news

Chris Dawes and Dom Tyson are said to be set to play against the Hawks on Saturday. Jack Viney is 1 to 2 weeks away from playing.

Injury list: round six

Sam Frost (toe) – 4-6 weeks

Dean Kent (hamstring) – 8 weeks

Christian Petracca (knee) – season

Jack Trengove (foot) – season

Jack Viney (fibula) – 1-2 weeks

Bum. Viney is critical, was hoping he'd be ready sooner rather than later.

Bum. Viney is critical, was hoping he'd be ready sooner rather than later.

I was hoping he would be in to try to shut down Mitchell.

The good news is that James Frawley will be back.

Oh ... wait

The good news is that James Frawley will be back.

Oh ... wait

Must have been a pretty minor pec tear or Hawthorn have been into "Hirdy's good stuff" for injury recovery.

No mention of Nev Jetta in Misso's injury report. Will he be missing for another week, or do I have early symptoms of MFCSS?

Hate that we are missing two players so important for match ups this early in the season. Really hope Viney can continue from where he left off, which looked like a real breakout year. Could be a different situation if all 3 (Kent included) were fit

Must have been a pretty minor pec tear or Hawthorn have been into "Hirdy's good stuff" for injury recovery.

apparently it wasn't a pec after all, just a heart muscle. went missin' in action. a minor infraction.

apparently it wasn't a pec after all, just a heart muscle. went missin' in action. a minor infraction.

Easy to confuse the two

Isn't that Raven Symone, who played Olivia on the Cosby Show?

That's so Raven.

Dawes and Tyson are OK then. That is some good news

50% Earl

Hate that we are missing two players so important for match ups this early in the season. Really hope Viney can continue from where he left off, which looked like a real breakout year. Could be a different situation if all 3 (Kent included) were fit

Same. Jetta, Viney and Kent are all top 22 and Kent and Viney were particularly having great seasons, (Jettas breakout season was last season)