The AFL is reviewing Gold Coast’s in-game management of concussed forward Dekota Baron.
Baron was on the receiving end of a heavy hit in a marking contest in the first quarter of their clash against Richmond on Saturday evening.
She was assessed by club medical staff who cleared her to return to the field.
A few minutes later, the independent ARC spotter ruled that Baron had to leave the field for a further head injury assessment.
Baron underwent the HIA and was sidelined for the mandatory 15-minute assessment period and returned to the field again, only for the league’s concussion spotter to again order her from the field after a few minutes of play.
Baron is in the concussion protocols out of an abundance of caution but passed all concussion testing on match day.
Baron came off after this hit
Code Sports understands the AFL has spoken to the Suns and asked them to provide reasoning for why Baron was allowed to return to the field.
The Suns are expected to provide the league with their version of events.
Baron, 19, remains in concussion protocols but passed all concussion testing on match day and undertook a modified training program on Tuesday.
The AFL Players’ Association has also made enquiries with the league about what occurred.
Suns coach Rhyce Shaw said on Saturday the club had been “surprised” by what had played out.
“We assessed her and we cleared her to go back on, but the powers that be in the ARC have seen something different and they made the judgement call to take her off, but that’s as much as I know at this point,” he said.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but that’s the stuff we can’t control.
“It’s frustrating at different times, but we’ve got to do what’s right for the wellbeing of the player and that’s first and foremost what should be taken into account at the very beginning.”
Port Adelaide was hit with a massive $100,000 fine in 2023 for its handling of a sickening head clash involving teammates Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones.
The ARC independent doctor was introduced in March as what the AFL described as an “additional safeguard” that can mandate the temporary removal of players from the field for assessment after viewing available footage.
The spotter was enacted on a number of occasions during the men’s season, including in April when the league was forced to apologise for error amid a “miscommunication” between the ARC and Essendon doctors surrounding Bomber Tom Edwards.
Brisbane was fined $20,000 – $10,000 of which was suspended – for its handling of All-Australian winger Sophie Conway’s concussion assessment in the 2023 AFLW grand final.
While she ultimately wasn’t concussed, the club’s delay in removing her from the field for assessment was deemed against the league’s protocols.
Originally published as AFL reviews Gold Coast’s handling of Dekota Baron’s concussion