Addressing Sensationalist Reporting on Nathan Murphy’s Concussion: Collingwood CEO Criticizes Media’s Coverage and Emphasizes Player Care

Collingwood’s chief executive, Craig Kelly, has criticized what he termed “sensationalist” reporting surrounding Magpies defender Nathan Murphy’s return to football following another concussion.

Murphy, aged 24, was given clearance to continue his AFL career despite suffering his most recent concussion during the Magpies’ grand final victory last September. Following examination by the league’s concussion panel, he was ultimately granted approval in December to resume playing.

Kelly took issue with an opinion piece authored by Mark Robinson, published in News Corp outlets on Monday, which raised questions about Collingwood and the AFL’s decision to allow Murphy back onto the field.

The article emerged after Murphy underwent assessment following another head knock during a training session last month. Despite this incident, Murphy received medical clearance to complete the session and has since continued training.

Kelly expressed his dissatisfaction with the article during Collingwood’s announcement of a charity shield match against Richmond for Foodbank on Tuesday, emphasizing the club’s commitment to caring for its players.

He defended the club’s doctor, Ruben Branson, highlighting his expertise in sports medicine and urged for respect toward the difficulty players face when misinformation is circulated.

While Kelly declined to divulge specific details regarding Murphy’s clearance process, citing the confidentiality of medical discussions, he emphasized the seriousness of the matter.

In response to recent guidelines implemented in grassroots sport, Kelly acknowledged the ongoing concern surrounding concussion in sports. He also expressed openness to the idea of AFL players signing waivers to mitigate potential lawsuits related to concussion injuries in the future.

Kelly stressed the importance of protecting the directors of AFL clubs, who volunteer their time and are liable in such situations, suggesting a need for comprehensive measures to address this issue.