Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has defended the way AFL clubs deal with players who cop head knocks, saying the Dockers’ decision to send Kepler Bradley and Adam McPhee back onto the field last Sunday was based on medical opinion.

Bradley copped a heavy knock to the head in the first quarter of Fremantle’s win over North Melbourne but returned to the field after a stint on the bench.

However, another knock to the head – albeit a minor one – signalled the end for the forward, who was subbed off at half-time after vomiting from the effects of the two blows.

McPhee struggled to stand and was clearly wobbly on his feet after receiving an accidental knee to the head in the second half, but played out the match strongly.

Lyon said AFL clubs would never put a player at risk if it was determined they had suffered a concussion.

“I find it fascinating that people want to test or query or challenge our physicians that are entrusted to look after the athlete and make professional calls,” Lyon told Perth radio station 6PR.

“People are getting on really thin ground when they think (clubs) are making judgements not in the best interests of the players.

“I think in the past, the rigour applied in the dark 70s and 80s and maybe early 90s (weren’t as thorough). But we’re talking 2012 here.

“The processes are that transparent and that diligent and the rigour applied is unbelievable that clubs don’t take risks that aren’t approved of by the physicians. So it’s pretty simple.”

Lyon said it was solely up to the club’s medical staff to determine whether a player was fit to resume after a head knock.

“All I am is a spokesperson for what goes on behind the scenes. And as a coach, you don’t get involved in it at all, because you can’t,” Lyon said.

“People come off the ground, they get assessed.

“You’re in battle, you haven’t got time for a long, drawn-out conversation.

“So I ask the question, ‘Is the player all right to go out on the ground or not?’.

“And if he’s injured and can’t go on they say, ‘He’s done’. Then I say, ‘No worries’. We move on from there.”

Bradley will be further assessed this week to determine his availability for Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne at Patersons Stadium.

Skipper Matthew Pavlich, who missed the win over the Kangaroos due to a series of leg niggles, remains in some doubt to take on the Demons but will also be further assessed later in the week.