NRL's Pre-Season Trials HIA Assessments and AFL’s Concussion Ladder

Send us Fan MailWelcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, in this discussion, we’ll address the trial of a new rule being implemented during the upcoming pre-season challenge matches in the NRL. This rule has sparked significant controversy, with many fans and academics seeing it as a step in the wrong direction. Rather than improving safety, the rule has been criticized for its potential to negatively impact the game, especially in terms of concussion management. We’ll delve into the details of the rule, its intended goals, and the concerns surrounding its trial period whilst also touching on the AFL and their ‘concussion ladder’.  What is the Proposed Change? (01:20)Previous High Tackle Crack Downs (04:15)Advantages-       Missed High Tackles Causing Concussion (06:50)-       Straw Man Argument – The Spectacle (10:10) Disadvantages  -       Outcome of Action (11:47)-       Examples Where Action Over Works (13:55)-       What Happened to Evidence Based? (16:30)-       Exploitation of the Rule (18:38)-       Judiciary (20:57)-       Further Points (22:53) AFL’s Concussion Ladder (24:55)   Social media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected] References/ ArticlesConsensus statement on concussion in sport: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/695https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-stephen-crichton-charged-escaped-sin-bin-for-rts-high-shot-nrl-bunker-inconsistencies-bulldogs-v-warriors-round-25/news-story/57beee22079d97a61f5ebea57fd32187https://www.nrl.com/operations/the-game/judiciary-code/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-clubs-confused-and-frustrated-by-odd-concussion-memo-sent-by-league-changes-to-contact-in-preseason-training-sessions-latest-news/news-story/0681d093d6f7be47122793279c90bcfehttps://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-hands-out-club-rankings-amid-confusion-on-pre-season-training-20250206-p5la2p.htmlhttps://www.codesports.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.codesports.com.au%2Fafl%2Fleague-watches-contact-and-concussion-at-preseason-training-during-dangerous-injury-time%2Fnews-story%2F1155ca1562cff28f09cb6f31484e11ee&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium