[4][5] In recent years, the AFL has commissioned official studies as well as introduced new rules and precautions aimed at reducing the number and severity of injuries in the sport.
Like the concussions in NFL, brain injuries, while relatively rare in Australian rules football, can occur, especially over time without sufficient precautions.
While suffering a severe case of the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy,[12] Tuck decided to commit suicide at 38 years old.
[13][14][15] In a study conducted recently of 413 retired VFL/AFL footballers, common problems amongst the group in old age included arthritis, hip replacements (including Kevin Sheedy, who had two operations on his hip within a short period of time), and low ability to perform sport-based activities.
The following is an incomplete list of incidents in AFL games which required immediate hospitalisation or threatened the career or a player.