29 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

He is only a kid and potentially has years of footy ahead of him. 

More importantly, he is only a kid and has the majority of his life ahead of him.

20 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

More importantly, he is only a kid and has the majority of his life ahead of him.

YES 2016 is over IMO.

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

this really is alarming if players are at risk of brain damage

Does anyone know of players that have brain damage from footy (I think there was Bell?).  I would have thought if the risk is as big as predicted there would be dozens of players especially from the 80's when they would beat hell of each other.  Prior to this generation players would always play the next week and almost always keep playing in the same game, so hopefully we haven't seen an influx of affected players but I have not heard of any others

by the way, I ain't no doctor and don't have a lot of medical knowledge on this topic, so excuse my ignorance if others do

Diesel Williams has acknowledged he has significant brain issues related to numerous concussions during his career. I think there would be many more that are either undiagnosed or have been kept private. 

On 5/16/2016 at 2:58 PM, ignition. said:

 

I don't recall writing him off for the season, please quote it... or I'll think you've been hitting your head against that wall again.

I said the research regarding concussion, particularly related to sports, is still in its infancy and is still being characterised.

The tests are continually being developed and are currently reliant (24 - 48 h post-incident) on players responses regarding feel and emotion.

It's also ironic that other tissue related injuries commonly require 4 - 6 weeks, and yet people like yourself consider a two week recovery as more adequate for someone having suffered three successive concussions or injury to the brain. So for that "lucky you aren't in charge of our medical department."

So again please remind me why did Sam Blease retire? and furthermore Leigh Adams and Matt Maguire? and what are the major setbacks for resting Brayshaw (from contact drills and play) for a minimum of 6 weeks?

If you're having trouble go and view the works and opinions of Prof. Andrew Kaye (a Melbourne brain surgeon) and Prof. Vicki Anderson (a Melbourne based and global leader in traumatic brain injury and concussion research in children).

Brilliant post!

 

So professional of our club to come out now and say he is being rested for an extended period......I know some "old school types" will consider this as being soft, but Angus' welfare is paramount and if he is allowed to  make a full recovery then he will be all the more valuable to us too.....a win / win situation. 

Good luck Angus 

4 hours ago, Ted Fidge said:

Gridiron is the king of concussion sports and they have heaps of retired players who exhibit personality change, memory loss, early dementia, and other frightening conditions, due to repeated concussions.

Concussion is something you don't fleck around with. Keep Angus away from the ground, even the training ground, for as long as it takes, until the docs have given the all clear.

 

The suicides are mounting up as well. Google Dave Duerson and see where that takes you. Poor bastard took himself out with a gunshot to the chest and left instructions that his brain be used for medical research. 

1. Best wishes, Gus.

2. Mach5, on Monday: Not good enough, really, Macha, for this fairly solemn issue.

3. Samael, earlier today: Sad story; hopefully the kid did eventually wake up? Regarding "completely independent medical assessments", I think this is actually one area that the clubs can actually be trusted; the approach now known to have been taken with Gus being demonstration.

4. Biffen, a little while later: Too soon, Biff? (literally and metaphorically)

5. Does "extended period" = "long term" and, if so, who's next on the rookie waiting list?

 

 

 

More and more people are going to start retiring because of this. Glad the club has been looking after our players in this regard over the past few seasons.

10 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Agreed no risks should be taken. He is only a kid and potentially has years of footy ahead of him. 

And more importantly years of life ahead of him.

It is still just footy, his health is so much more important!

20 hours ago, ignition. said:

Yes as we've pointed out previously some of these include Sam Blease, Leigh Adams, Matt Maguire, and Justine Clarke in 2016 (as 3Dee reminded us of).

Below is Clarke's departing message.
 

 

thanks for the reply

I just thought these guys retired based on future potential issues rather than having confirmed brain damage but I could well be wrong. 100% the priority is player health but I'm just shocked about the change in stance from 'she'll be right' to 'we better rest him for half the year'  how is Selwood, bartel, out there playing for all these years, surely they would have had 10+ concussions.  hopefully this mega cautious approach is not being driven by the threat of law suits

if this was an epidemic, I havent seen much the evidence of players from the 70's 80's being diagnosed. i would hate to see players careers cut short based on an area that we have said is in its infancy research wise

anyway, not trying to be controversial... just my general uneducated vibe on the issue.

On 15/05/2016 at 0:57 PM, KrazyJay said:

Helmet could bring about some sort of "cult figure" status for you Gus 

But seriously, I'm sure the club and everyone involved will be looking out for the kid's health and he will be given ample time to get himself back to full ability

And last year he reminded me quite a bit of a Nathan Burke/Robert Harvey hybrid. Glad they are taking this seriously

agree at least 4-6 weeks off and then start running and physical activity.

write off 2016 and focus on 2017 and beyond (2017 finals is our realistic goal)