The AFL’s Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocols are facing scrutiny following Adam Cerra’s delayed exit from the field after a high bump from Essendon’s Sam Durham during Carlton’s win at the MCG on Saturday. The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Cerra was struck and appeared disoriented, yet he remained on the field to participate in a subsequent melee.
Critics, including commentator Garry Lyon, have expressed concern about the decision-making surrounding the incident. Lyon suggested that the bump put Durham in a vulnerable position, questioning the legality of the hit if it was contact to the head. Jonathan Brown also weighed in, labelling the bump a “wrong decision” and implying that the protocol for player safety was not adequately enforced.
Despite Cerra appearing dazed, play continued for approximately ten minutes before medical staff assessed him on the sidelines. Lyon strongly criticized this delay, arguing that if medical staff wanted Cerra off the field, protocol should dictate that they act swiftly without relying on the player’s judgement. Ultimately, he was shown sitting on the bench with noticeable bruising around his right eye.
The game saw Carlton initially take a commanding lead, with scores at the first break sitting at 6.4 (40) to 1.1 (7). By half-time, Essendon made significant gains, with Carlton leading 8.6 (54) to 4.2 (26), at which point it was confirmed that Cerra’s assessment was carried out as a precautionary measure.
As the match progressed, Essendon maintained pressure on Carlton, narrowing the gap to just 11 points by three-quarter time and eventually trailing by only six points late in the final quarter. Nevertheless, Carlton managed to secure a 11.12 (78) to 11.4 (70) victory.
In summary, the incident associated with Cerra has reignited debates about the effectiveness and execution of the AFL’s HIA system, highlighting the urgent need for improvements in player safety protocols to avert potential injuries.