Cunnington’s concussion concern after hit to the head at training

North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington may still be available for selection in the club’s opening practice match on February 25 after suffering a suspected concussion at training on Friday.

The veteran went down after he copped an elbow to the back of his head during an intra-club hitout at Arden Street and a stretcher was called, but the 29-year-old managed to walk off the ground for treatment.

If Cunnington is diagnosed with concussion, he must be sidelined for 12 days after the incident under new concussion protocols introduced for 2021.

That period would end on February 24, one day before the scheduled match against the Saints.

Under the AFL’s concussion guidelines, “the earliest that an AFL or AFLW player can return to play after a concussion is on the 12th day after the day on which the concussion was suffered” with the league adding in their protocols that in some instances a longer period of recovery and rehabilitation will be needed.

Cunnington played just three games last season because of a back issue but has had a strong pre-season as he takes on the role of the midfield’s elder statesman, and prepares to spend some time forward in 2021 with interchange rotations reduced from 90 to 75 per team per game.