BASE LINE SCREENING | YOUR BRAIN HEALTH

by Megan Billerwell | Feb 8, 2025 | General

Get ahead of the game with MLDFC and concussion.
This offer is for ALL MLDFC members and our local community!!
📧 headtrainer@mtloftydevils.com.au

Mt Lofty Football Club baseline testing of all Senior, Junior and Moddies players has been booked with Your Brain Health as follows:

Time:     5:30pm

Dates:   Monday 31^st March

Thursday 3^rd April

20+ players (any age) per night is required for this to be successful.

– Enquiries to Nikki

☎️ 0408 133 029
📧 headtrainer@mtloftydevils.com.au

For more info; please see attached, speak to our Head Trainer Nikki, or visit YBH baseline screening. 
 

Please note: A MLDFC senior mens player baseline tested last year.  He allowed Nikki to sit in on his appointment post suspected concussion which was very thorough.  He has given her permission to mention his name and said he is more than happy to talk with anyone about his experience, so please reach out for more information.

Please also see Jude Bolton on concussion and Jack Riewoldt on concussion – you can see how a baseline screen would add to the proof that Jack was concussed.  And it would be also used to reassure Jude that he can continue to enjoy his family life and do all he can to avoid being a “dribbling mess when you’re old” as his dad puts it!  But based on the mechanism of all of the hits in these videos, it is SO obvious to me there was no way a player should go back on.  It is the innocuous hits where it “doesn’t look bad” and the risk of delayed concussion which are also frighteningly real!

MEDICAL TEAM PERSPECTIVE OF YOUR BRAIN HEALTH BASELINE SCREEN:

The role of a Mt Lofty District Football Club trainer, is to use the Concussion Recognition Tool 6 or the AFL HeadCheck app to recognise, remove and refer when a head knock or sudden change in motion of the head has occurred.  The risk of delayed concussion is very real!  Therefore the player is placed on the minimum 21 day concussion protocol (as per AFL Community Guidelines) until they are cleared by a medical professional.  Our Concussion Officer is then notified by the trainer and connection with the family and player will occur to follow the Graded Return to Play Protocol.

20 teams whose players are required to follow the Graded Return to Play Protocol… what a challenge to ensure the player stays on task! 

The trainer is relying on honesty from the player on whether the symptoms have resolved or still exist and not all trainers are available to individually monitor their progress! 

This is where baseline testing and concussion management through Your Brain Health will clarify all the confusion!

EXPERIENCES OF 2024 of those who didn’t baseline test:

Some players experienced conflicting information consisting of:

• GP didn’t do a SCAT 6 (20 minute concussion assessment).  They did their own assessment consisting of reflex checks, asked some questions and then cleared the player of concussion despite the paperwork provided showing clear indications of symptoms AFL Match Day Form 13 and over (2 pages) / AFL Match Day Form 13 and under (3 pages) 
  If the player has a written clearance from a GP, this is what we legally need to follow.  Unfortunately the paperwork clearly showed that the player had symptoms…delayed concussion is real!
• Player accepted the trainers initial assessment and followed the return to play protocol to day 13 and sought a GP for a clearance.  Player was not cleared as the GP said a SCAT 6 was not done initially.  GP then proceeded to lecture the player on the dangers of playing football.  
  A concussion diagnosis is not required to place a player on the 21 day protocol.  It is only required as a clearance.  If the player thinks they are not concussed, they can seek a SCAT6 within 48 hours post match.  Sensibly, this player knew they had symptoms and followed the advice provided by our Concussion Officer….delayed concussion is real even after symptoms have resolved immediately! Also, the player hadn’t actually asked for the GPs opinion on his future of playing football!!
• An appointment was organised with a SAHLN Assessment Consultation Team, the player was not given a SCAT 6 , was told it was most likely concussion and to go home and rest.  
  This is the organisation trainers are supposed to recommend for concussion management on game day where we have been assured a SCAT6 would be available!
• Player went to the GP to be cleared for full contact training, GP did not clear the player, instead asked them to rebook for the following week. 
  Unnecessary appointments causing out of pocket expense.

You can see how varied and confusing the information players and their families are given, despite my best intentions to provide a high level of advice! 

Data collection through baseline screening, can provide a more tangible measuring tool for when returning to play is safe.  

The team at Your Brain Health have expertise in this area through Unley Physio and you can be assured there is a high standard of practice towards the player safely continuing on with their love of football!

SANFL, AFL, FIFA, NZ Rugby, Cycling, British Horse Racing are just a few industries utilising this technology!  

The level of care is exactly the same whether you are an elite athlete or a community based athlete.

Questions?
☎️ Nikki : 0408 133 029
📧 Nikki : headtrainer@mtloftydevils.com.au