Greater Western Sydney coach Adam Kingsley has bemoaned the side losing forward Brent Daniels in the final minutes of Friday night’s loss to Collingwood due to a concussion test.
Daniels was tackled by Nick Daicos early in the final quarter at the MCG, with his head making contact with the ground.
After one of the AFL’s concussion spotters in the ARC alerted the Giants of an incident that could warrant further investigation, the Giants’ doctor determined Daniels required a SCAT5 (concussion test).
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Given the test requires a mandatory 15 minute absence from the game, it ruled Daniels out of the remainder of the contest, despite him passing the test.
An AFL spokesperson on Saturday told foxfooty.com.au the league’s concussion spotters do not have the authority to overrule club doctors.
Instead, they alert the club doctors to the incidents in question, with the ultimate call then made by the doctor.
Speaking after the devastating one-point loss, Kingsley said Daniels’ absence was frustrating.
“(I was) really disappointed to lose Brent Daniels for a HIA assessment that he passed comfortably in the last five minutes of the game, which hurt us around the ball with a bit of leg speed, a bit of overlap run, so that’s extremely disappointing,” he said.
“I haven’t seen the incident, but from what I’m led to believe, it didn’t warrant having to take him off the field to assess it.
“Yeah, I’m sure we will (contact the AFL for clarification).”
Regarding the tackle that led to the drama, Nick Daicos is expected to avoid a dangerous tackle ban.
While there was head contact with the ground as a result of the tackle, the Match Review Officer could determine there wasn’t excessive force involved on Daicos’ part.
A unique factor of the incident is Scott Pendlebury’s involvement, with the Collingwood veteran taking hold of Daniels’ right, bracing arm on the way down.
It could be argued Daicos couldn’t reasonably foresee Pendlebury’s involvement.
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