As the understanding of the impact of head and brain injuries grows, as do policies within sporting organisations.
The AFL has had a concussion policy since 2013 that has since developed as medical advice has changed.
Adjustments have been made to the AFL's concussion protocol heading into the 2024 season.
The Sporting News explains everything you need to know.
MORE: AFL Injury List 2024: All the pre-season medical news, Supercoach tips
What is the AFL's concussion protocol for AFL and AFLW?
If an AFL or AFLW player suffers a concussion, there is a minimum of 12 days until they can return to competitive play in the sport.
To return to the game, after being ruled out for at least 12 days, players must past a medically-approved three-stage, 11-step protocol from a professional at their club.
What is the AFL's concussion protocol for community leagues and footballers?
For footballers playing in all community leagues at a senior or junior level, the earliest they can return after suffering a concussion is 21 days.
A return for these footballers will only be permitted with a medical clearance.
What the AFL said about their concussion policy
AFL general counsel Stephen Meade: "The AFL’s concussion guidelines are the most stringent concussion protocols in Australian sport both at a community and elite level and we are committed to continuing to take action to protect the safety of players at all levels of the game.
"The updated community guidelines represent a significant step in the AFL’s existing record of ongoing improvements to its concussion management strategy that reflect medical research and other learnings over time.
"We play a contact sport and there is always going to be risk, however over recent years we have continued to take action to strengthen match-day protocols and amend the Laws of the Game to discourage high contact, and we will continue to do so.
"We continue to listen and learn from the medical and scientific professionals and take action to deal with the important topic of concussion and player safety.
"While there are risks of injury in our sport, we will continue to act to reduce and manage those risks, and there are also many very significant physical and mental health benefits of playing our great game."
AFL concussion statistics in 2023
Last season with the minimum 12-day protocol in place, 29 per cent of AFL players missed more than one match following a concussion.
In the AFLW, 24 per cent of players missed two matches or more after being concussed.
