Add Category
Hawthorn ruckman Max Lynch is retiring from the AFL, aged 24, due to ongoing concussion issues.
Key points:
- Max Lynch was told by an independent medical panel that he should quit football due to concussion concerns
- Lynch last played in the AFL against Adelaide in round six, where he was subbed off with concussion
- The retirement comes as Port Adelaide faces intense scrutiny over its handling of a head knock last weekend
An independent medical panel has ruled Lynch should stop playing contact sport permanently.
The former Collingwood big man was added to the club's long-term injury list in May after he was subbed out of a game against Adelaide with concussion.
"Since entering the long-term injury list, Max has worked closely with our medical team to return to full cognitive baseline following his most recent concussion," Hawks football boss Rob McCartney said.
"This decision is to reduce any risk of future injuries that could change this situation.
"What I have been most impressed by is the resilience he has shown with the challenges that have been put in front of him.
"He is a much-loved member of the Hawthorn family, a great teammate and even better person.
"We will continue to support Max in any way we can as he embarks on the next phase of his life and career off the field."
Lynch, who played 11 AFL games for Collingwood and Hawthorn after debuting in 2020, has taken on a role as a development coach for the Hawks' AFLW team as he transitions into life after football.
He addressed his Hawthorn teammates on Tuesday.
"This definitely isn't how I wanted my career to come to an end, but I accept the decision and know it is the right one for my future," Lynch said.
"I want to thank the club for its support throughout the entire process, to have all of my teammates and coaches behind me has helped me immensely through this challenging period of my life."
Power continues to face scrutiny over protocols
Port Adelaide's concussion protocols continue to come under scrutiny with the partner of a former Power player detailing "scary" incidents during his time at the club.
Port were on Monday issued a "please explain" by the AFL after club doctors failed to put Aliir Aliir through a concussion test following the defender's collision with teammate Lachie Jones on Saturday night.
While Jones was subbed out of the Showdown loss against Adelaide because of a migraine, Aliir returned to the field.
Port said the two players passed SCAT5 protocols, but have since shown symptoms consistent with concussion.
Jones and Aliir will both sit out this Saturday night's crunch game against Geelong at Kardinia Park.
Cassie Burton, the partner of former Port utility Sam Mayes, said the current spotlight on Port's concussion situation "doesn't surprise me" and it made her "sick".
"Sam's played concussed after they strapped his head and sent him back on the field," Burton wrote on Twitter, accompanied with a picture of Mayes' head bandaged during his AFL career.
"He's also pulled himself out of the AFL side as he wasn't feeling right from a separate head knock. It's scary to witness."
It is understood Mayes was sent back out on the ground in a SANFL semi-final playing for Port in 2019 after a head knock. He later took himself to the bench because he was feeling unwell.
Mayes later had no recollection of Port's thrilling four-point victory after the match, which put the club into a grand final.
In 2021, the former Brisbane Lions player was named in Port's AFL team despite having a head knock playing in the reserves a week earlier.
Leading up to the match, Mayes reluctantly withdrew himself from the team after experiencing concussion symptoms, despite attempting to nail down his spot in the senior side.
Mayes' AFL career ended at the end of last year following 121 games for the Lions and Port across 10 seasons.
AAP has reached out to Port for comment on Mayes' situation.
The AFL on Monday said its chief medical officer Dr Michael Makdissi was liaising with Port in monitoring the condition of Aliir and Jones.
Concussion is now a massive issue in the game with the AFL cracking down on dangerous tackles this season.
A number of former players are suing the league and their clubs, seeking compensation for the effects of concussion from their careers.
In 2016, the AFL fined Port Adelaide for how they handled a head knock to player Hamish Hartlett.
Port were fined $20,000, with $10,000 of that suspended to the end of 2018, because they failed to follow AFL protocols.
Last season, Power players Tom Jonas and Zac Butters also had a clash of heads in a game against Richmond and were forced from the field.
Jonas and Butters returned to the ground and the AFL later said it was satisfied how the club handled the situation.
AAP
Loading