AFL to limit contact training for men's and women's players

The AFL will implement mandatory limits on contact training for both men's and women's players to reduce head injuries and concussions. The new regulations follow a two-year consultation period and recommendations from a Victorian Coroner's investigation into the death of former player Shane Tuck, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Starting with the upcoming men's pre-season, clubs will be restricted to a maximum of 120 or 160 minutes of total contact training per week, depending on the phase of the pre-season. These limits include specific sub-limits on high-intensity contact drills. For example, during the initial phases, clubs are permitted 120 minutes of contact training, with a 60-minute cap on high-density work. As the season approaches, the total allowance increases to 160 minutes, with the high-intensity sub-limit rising to 120 minutes to allow for more match simulation.

The AFL noted that data suggests concussions occur most frequently during match simulations and small-sided, high-intensity drills. Specific limits for the AFL premiership season and the AFLW programs will be confirmed later this year as more data is collected.