Recommended Guidelines & Resources to Manage Concussion in the Community prepared by The Physiosports Group (Physiosports Brighton & Pursue Health Highett) for our sponsor groups and local community.
Dr Anik Shawdon, Sports & Exercise Medicine Physician, is the AFL Talent Pathway Medical Officer.
AFL CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT VIDEO
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Recognise Symptoms – Use the Headcheck App OR the Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT).
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Remove the Player – ‘When in doubt sit them out!’
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Medical Assessment – players with a suspected concussion should be assessed by a registered medical practitioner.
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No return to play until cleared by a medical practitioner.
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Recommend you use our CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE PROFORMA (click here) to guide return to play in collaboration with your medical practitioner.
KEY POINTS
- If concussion confirmed rest is recommended for 24-48 hours.
- Initially undertake symptom limited activity aimed at return to school/life (no sport).
- Grade the return to physical activity to full training – must have no symptoms – see the management guidelines form the AFL.
- Full contact return after clearance – DAY 12 at the earliest (recovery varies, children recover slower, if there is a history of recurrence be more conservative).
LINKS
- Headcheck App. Or download it from the App Store by clicking here.
- Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT).
- Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5).
- AFL Community Concussion Guidelines 2021.
- Dr Anik Shawdon Concussion lecture PDF (soon to come).
Local General Practitioners Recommended for Concussion Management:
- Dr Rod Trevena – New St Medical Clinic, 393 New Street, Brighton. Ph: 95959777
- Dr Jason Lam – Bluff Rd Medical Centre, 328 Bluff Road, Sandringham. Ph: 95986244
practitioners

Ray takes part in middle distance running and is a member of Box Hill Athletics Club and also is a keen road cyclist. Through his experience in sports as well as sports coverage he has developed a special interest in sporting injury in the endurance athlete, as well as their prevention through evidence based strength & rehabilitation. Away from physiotherapy Ray enjoys videography and languages.

Matt is a researcher at the La Trobe University Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre and is currently involved in projects looking into knee health in runners.
Matt is inspired by his patients and colleagues and loves building long-term professional relationships. He enjoys riding and rock climbing.
Matt is also involved in research at The Australian Ballet where he is completing his Masters of Applied Science.

Michael was employed by and travelled with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in the elite English Premier League, as well as being a Physiotherapist for the Australian Masters Games Hockey. He has been a player and Physiotherapist with the Old Mentonians Football Club and is currently a team physiotherapist for Old Brighton Grammarians in the VAFA.
Michael has a special interest in the prevention of sporting injury, as well as the management of lower back and pelvic dysfunction.

Natasha has a passion for coaching group based Physiotherapy exercise programs. She currently runs specialised AFL specific exercise programs for multiple football clubs, both online and face to face. She is also qualified in presenting the world leading GLA:D Training program for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. She is one of five Physiotherapists at our practice that is currently delivering online classes, with a special interest in Kids/Teens programs and S&C. Outside of work, Natasha is a passionate runner and is currently sponsored by Nike as part of a training collaboration with Tempo Journal. She one day hopes to complete her first full marathon.

Paul has provided services to the Melbourne Tigers NBL basketball team (1998-2005), Collegians Football Club (2001-), EPS, AFS, Mercury Multisport and Tr-Response triathlon squads, Southern Saints Netball Club (2009-), and the Brighton Grammar Boat Club (2002-).
He has been a clinical tutor in the Melbourne & Latrobe University Masters in Sports Physiotherapy courses, and a member of the Victorian Institute of Sport Patellar Tendon study group.
Paul has a special interest in the lower back/pelvis, overuse injuries of the lower limb, as well as the assessment of bike set-up and its relationship to injury.

Since graduating in 2002 Anthony has worked in a variety of sports and clinical settings, working with multiple stage performances including 'Wicked' the musical. Anthony has been head physiotherapist locally for Parkdale Football Club in the VAFA and Southern United Hockey Club.
Anthony has a special interest in sporting injuries and injury prevention, in particular the pelvis, hip & groin, joint hypermobility and dance related injuries, including pre-pointe assessments.
Anthony uses his extensive experience to tailor individually specific approach to rehabilitation, self-management strategies and education, providing a pathway from acute injury to return to sport or function.

Steve has worked extensively with elite athletes both in Australia and the United Kingdom predominately in soccer, tennis and athletics. He currently oversees the sports medicine programs for Old Brighton Grammarians and Caulfield Grammarians Football Club (VAFA).
Steve is passionate about advancing physiotherapy practice and is committed to providing the profession with access to the world’s leading clinicians and researchers. He has lectured widely to post-graduate physiotherapists and health professionals and has co-developed the Physiosports Mastering Load series and Science of Cycling courses, as well as, regularly facilitating symposia including Tendinopathy and management of the Adolescent athlete.
A keen golfer and cyclist, Steve has a special interest in the biomechanics of these sports and provides specialised bike set-up and golf assessments at Physiosports.