Melbourne great Garry Lyons appeals for HIA change amid concerning Jordan Dawson approval
Melbourne great Garry Lyon has called for the AFL to require players to undertake head injury assessments (HIA) off the field in order to ensure accurate results.
It comes as Essendon young gun Nate Caddy escaped suspension for a heavy front-on collision in the third quarter left Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson on the turf.
Dawson was eventually substituted in the fourth quarter through concussion protocols, but the initial assessment in the third quarter has sparked debate.
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"That is staggering," Lyon said on Fox Footy.
"If it is a hamstring, they ain't doing it on the ground. This is a brain injury, get the bloke off and do it properly."
Crows coach Matthew Nicks confirmed Dawson will miss the club's next match against the Hawks through concussion protocols.
Jordan Dawson receives medical attention. Getty
"Unfortunately, I believe he's in the protocols now... it's his health which is most important," Nicks said post-match.
"We basically got the message upstairs at a point through the last quarter that Jordan has gone off and won't be able to come back on."
Under the current AFL concussion guidelines, it is advised players showing concussion symptoms are immediately removed from the field.
The incident has striking similarities to Rowan Marshall's clash against West Coast last month, where the Saints ruckman was given the all-clear to continue playing despite copping a knee to the back of the head.
Dawson's withdrawal wasn't the only concern for Nicks on Friday, with defender Nick Murray suffering what looked to be his second ACL rupture in the past 18 months.
Nick Murray speaking with a doctor. AAP
Murray was subbed off after suffering the injury to the same knee as his last tear in the first quarter. It was his fifth game since returning to play.
"We're all trying to think positive thoughts at the moment," Nicks said.
"He has to have scans on that. I don't want to say we're confident, but we're going to stay really positive and as you can imagine, he's quite emotional at the moment."
The club confirmed his ACL had not been torn or suffered serious damage, rather had hyperextended. He will undergo scans on Saturday.
Jordan Butts also failed to complete the match due to an ankle sprain.
