AFL legend Nathan Buckley backs Coroner's 'achievable' request to league over contact training
AFL legend Nathan Buckley has backed a Victorian Coroner's call for clubs to reduce the number of full contact training sessions, saying it is "achievable".
State Coroner John Cain recommended the change after investigating the death of former Richmond player Shane Tuck, who was revealed to have severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his death in 2020.
Buckley, who coached Collingwood between 2012 and 2021, said St Kilda coach Ross Lyon had already reduced the amount of contact drills at the club.
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"Philosophically, he does not want his players tackling and hitting in preparation and believed it was a game-day mindset. (Ex-Collingwood coach) Mick (Malthouse) was down that way a bit," Buckley said.
"Some programs it won't affect at all; others have to make slight adjustments but with longer seasons (it is less of a concern). It is achievable."
Nathan Buckley pictured during his time as Collingwood's coach between 2012 and 2021 Getty
"You might do a full contact session on Monday and Friday, so that could be cut to one a week."
Cain also recommended the AFL employ independent medical practitioners at all games, with the practitioners given the power to remove players from the field for a medical assessment at any time. Cain requested these individuals to be allowed to overrule club doctors.
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He also recommended the AFL's concussion spotters to be given the power to pull players from the field.
The AFL said in a statement on Monday it would "formally review" all the recommendations made by Cain.
The league also noted it had made over 30 changes to both on-field rules and match-review and tribunal guidelines over the past two decades in order to protect players' heads.
