According to reports, the chief medical officer of the AFL has listed the steps the Melbourne Demons followed to let Christian Petracca to return to action on Monday. Following his side-impact collision with Darcy Moore during Melbourne’s loss to Collingwood, Petracca was diagnosed with four broken ribs, a torn spleen, and a punctured lung.
The Demons let Petracca return to the field to see if he could play through the agony before the full nature of his injuries were found in the hospital following the game. After taking some painkillers, the star midfield player opted to attempt and continue playing after initially leaving the field at the end of the first quarter.
He had a difficult second quarter and was finally substituted out of the game at halftime. Though it was revealed on Tuesday morning that Petracca also had splenic surgery and had a little puncture to his lung, the Demons remained optimistic that he was just suffering from a few broken ribs.
There are now concerns about whether the Demons made a mistake by letting Petracca return to the field given the terrible severity of his injuries. Many noted that the team was taking a chance on Petracca’s long-term health as well as a potentially more serious injury.
He had a difficult second quarter and was finally substituted out of the game at halftime. Though it was revealed on Tuesday morning that Petracca also had splenic surgery and had a little puncture to his lung, the Demons remained optimistic that he was just suffering from a few broken ribs.
There are now concerns about whether the Demons made a mistake by letting Petracca return to the field given the terrible severity of his injuries. Many noted that the team was taking a chance on Petracca’s long-term health as well as a potentially more serious injury.
Questions remain over handling of Christian Petracca injury
However, the chief medical officer in the league reportedly assessed the matter and informed the AFL that the Demons’ method was no longer valid. Leading journalist Gerard Whateley remarked of the Demons on AFL 360 on Tuesday night, “It is a hard position to defend.”
“I am aware that the AFL Medical Officer is satisfied with the procedures Melbourne implemented as a result of tonight’s reporting. That eludes me. I find it hard to understand how you could allow a player to return to the field in that condition after discovering after the fact how much harm was done.”
Alan Richardson, the head coach of the Demons football team, stated in a statement on Tuesday that “naturally, Christian’s health is our top priority right now.” The upcoming weeks will be crucial, and we’ll be monitoring his progress closely to make sure he heals properly and fully.
“We will track the development of his recuperation and determine when he may resume playing. Although he is undoubtedly one of the team’s most essential players, our current top objectives are his health and recuperation.