The criticism towards Port Adelaide’s handling of concussion protocols has continued with a former player’s partner revealing alleged concerning events in the past.
Port is expected to receive a hefty fine from the AFL after the club failed to conduct a SCAT5 test on Aliir Aliir after his collision with teammate Lachie Jones in Saturday night’s showdown against Adelaide.
Cassie Burton, partner of Sam Mayes who played 20 AFL games for Port Adelaide between 2020 and 2022, hit out at the club via social media, stating it “doesn’t surprise me”.
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“The AFL concussion controversy doesn’t surprise me … it makes me sick,” she tweeted.
“Sam’s played concussed after they strapped his head and sent him back on the field. He’s also pulled himself out of the AFL side as he wasn’t feeling right from a separate head knock.
“It’s scary to witness.”
The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Mayes in Port Adelaide gear with his head bandaged.
In response to the allegations, Port Adelaide told Wide World of Sports the club has been in contact with Mayes “and will continue to support him”.
The Power could not comment on the current AFL investigation into the Aliir incident.
After Saturday’s incident, club doctor Mark Fisher admitted in a statement that Aliir should have been tested.
Power club doctor admits fault after clash
“Upon reviewing the incident again, Aliir should have undergone SCAT testing at the time immediately following the collision,” he said.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has come out in support of Fisher, urging the club to stick by its long term doctor.
”They’ve admitted that (mistake). Clearly for everyone watching the vision it was obvious he was concussed, so in hindsight they should’ve reviewed the vision more clearly,” he said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
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“They should’ve ruled him out of the game and done the test, they’ve put their hand up, but good clubs stick by good people, and Mark Fisher is a good person with a long history at that football club.
“He’s impacted many lives in a positive way. I can vouch for his character. I would trust him with my life, I’ve certainly trusted him with my kid’s life.
“He has made a mistake. Good clubs stick by good people and that’s what Port Adelaide should do.”
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