KEY DEFENDER Steven May will be assessed under the new concussion protocols after sustaining a mild concussion against the Western Bulldogs on Monday afternoon.
May suffered the heavy knock during a marking contest in the final quarter and was immediately taken out of the game for assessment by the medical team.
“Steven was removed from play on Monday night and found to have mild concussion symptoms,” General Manager of AFL Performance Alan Richardson told Melbourne Media.
“Pleasingly though, on Tuesday morning Steven presented symptom-free and our medical team will continue to assess Steven each day in the lead up to our Round 1 match.
“We will ensure that every precaution is taken with Steven and a decision on his return to play date will be determined by his recovery.
“In line with the new concussion guidelines, Steven will undertake a graded return to training.”
Under the new guidelines, the earliest that a player can return to play after a concussion is on the 12th day after the day on which the concussion was sustained.
In those 12 days, the player will initially rest, then undertake an individual graduated loading program, before making a return to team training with periods of rest in between.
Melbourne will open its season on Saturday, March 20 against Fremantle at the MCG.
