AFL crackdown eases medical toll

Jonathan Brown recovering from facial injuries suffered last year. Source: Herald Sun

NEW AFL rules have cut the number of footballers suffering facial fractures.

A review of almost two decades of data shows the new match review panel and penalties for high hits could have reduced injury rates.

It also revealed that heavy blows to the upper and lower jaws, cheekbones and eye socket are more likely to occur early in a season.

Victorian trauma surgery trainee Dr Jason Savage said the drop in number of facial fractures could be due to players being more cautious near finals time, pushing through injuries and an underreporting of incidents.

The report's authors, which include AFL injury survey co-author Dr John Orchard, recommend changing the AFL definition of an injury and broadening the injury type recorded.

Dr Savage said that the only injuries reported are those that cause a player to miss a match, which skews the data.

He said nasal bone fractures, facial lacerations and dental and soft tissue injuries are not being reported.

"These injuries have a significant impact ... (on the) life of a player," he said.

The research published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery found the number of facial fractures decreased from 13 in 2005 to just four in 2008.

From 1992 to 2008, there were 175 facial fractures.

During the same period, the total number of injuries increased from 479 to 645.

Facial fractures make up less than 2 per cent of total injuries, but can have disastrous consequences.

High-profile victims include Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown and Bombers coach James Hird.

It took players three matches on average to recover, well below professional recommendations.

Mr Savage said the most significant changes that had helped reduce facial fractures were the new match review panel and head-high contact rule, but the effect could wane as players became accustomed to them.

lucie.vandenberg@news. com.au

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