AFL wants more information on Kennedy test

The AFL has called on Sydney for more information about Josh Kennedy’s concussion test in the wake of the Steve Johnson suspension.

Johnson can accept a one-game suspension for his shoulder bump on Kennedy in Saturday’s brutal qualifying final.

It means the Giants star will miss their preliminary final.

The Giants are unlikely to take the case to the tribunal, given they would risk a two-game suspension if unsuccessful.

That would rule Johnson out of the grand final if they make it that far.

While Johnson’s match review panel fate was the big story on Monday, it also emerged the league wants to know more about the Kennedy concussion test.

The match review panel considered a medical report from Sydney before ruling that Johnson’s shoulder bump was careless conduct and medium impact to the head.

Kennedy had to leave the field after the first-quarter clash, but he returned and played out the game.

The Swans insist Kennedy was not concussed and he passed the required test before returning to the field.

Two months ago, the AFL fined Port Adelaide $20,000 after it ruled the Power let Hamish Hartlett return to the field too quickly after a head knock.

Half the fine was suspended until the end of the 2018 season.

It is understood the AFL has also formally asked other clubs to outline how they have handled concussion tests.

Concussion has become an increasingly-important issue in contact sports worldwide.

The AFL’s 2015 injury survey showed games missed due to concussion continue to soar as clubs become more conservative about how they manage head knocks.

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