Jimmy Bartel gives vastly different account of how Geelong Cats managed concussion dilemma, after Max Rooke legal action announcement

Bartel shared his experience with Geelong’s management of head knocks on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.

“It’s difficult for me to read, and obviously, your first concern is Max as a teammate,” Bartel said.

“I spent many hours training (with him), we played in premierships together, and you hope he’s healthy (and) is in a great position. So, that’s first and foremost.

“But clearly he’s had a different lived football experience than I have.

“I had multiple concussions in my time at Geelong, but I had nothing but good experiences with the doctors. I never felt I was put out there under risk, I felt fully healthy, ready to go.

“So it’s a bit hard to read that someone who you spent so much time with has had a completely different experience.”

Bartel reiterated his stance when asked by co-panellist Eddie McGuire if he was ever sent onto the field when he probably shouldn’t have been.

“No, not at all,” Bartel said.

“I think first and foremost, the doctors that I was involved with, and even the strength-and-conditioning staff and then, on top of that, the coaches — so it was almost three stages before we got to the coaching staff, who made the decision on whether you played or not. I never felt like they put my health at risk.”

A raft of sports worldwide are encountering concussion-related legal battles, including American football, rugby union, rugby league and football.

On Wednesday, the NRL announced the introduction of an 11-day stand-down following a diagnosed category-one concussion. The new policy will take effect from Thursday night, the beginning of round three.

McGuire defended the AFL and its clubs on Footy Classified.

“Everyone just calm down a little bit,” said the former Collingwood president.

“No one in football wants to see anyone getting hurt.

“I do resent at times when football clubs and/or the AFL are maligned and made to look like they don’t care about anyone involved. I think that’s unfair.

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“Now, we have to find the right position.

“And don’t forget doctors and people involved in football use the best available information at a particular time. Things change and move on.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, the AFL announced minor changes to its concussion guidelines, admitted it could do better and highlighted progress.

“The AFL acknowledged and accepted criticism of it in the recently released independent review and is taking steps to address recommendations in the report, including that the AFL improves clinical care aspects for past players,” the AFL statement read.

“The AFL apologised to past players who were let down by the manner in which some of the research and clinical programs were at times conducted in the past.

“The AFL has made more than 30 changes to concussion protocols, tribunal guidelines and on-field rules over the past two decades to further protect the head and improve the response to head knocks in our game in accordance with current and evolving science, and we will continue to work to strengthen protocols and increase the education to clubs and players.”

The traditional Richmond-Carlton season-opener at the MCG will get the 2023 campaign underway on Thursday night.

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