Josh Carmichael, a forward for Collingwood, has allegedly been referred to the AFL’s medical concussion panel because he is still experiencing symptoms from a recent head injury.
Since the Magpies’ VFL team’s match against Southport in early May, Carmichael has not participated in any games. The 24-year-old has been out with a concussion, having struggled with delayed symptoms after an incident during the preseason.
Collingwood said on Monday night that the 2022 Mid-Season Draft acquisition of Carmichael was still going through concussion protocols. This is the club’s most recent update on the player.
“Josh Carmichael continues to work through the AFL’s concussion protocols and continues to be supported by the Club and AFL medical teams,” the statement stated.
Carmichael’s continuous struggle has left him with an unclear future, as SEN’s Sam Edmund discovered earlier this month. Now, the former West Adelaide star has announced that the league has sent him to its concussion panel for further investigation into his health.
Three players in the AFL have already announced their early retirement from the game due to concussions; Carmichael’s teammate Nathan Murphy did so in April after taking a blow to the head during last year’s grand final.
While Bulldog Aiden O’Driscoll, a first-year player, was forced to retire just months into his AFL career due to a serious head blow suffered during the pre-season, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw retired prior to the commencement of the home and away season.
After a brilliant start to his SANFL season, Carmichael joined the Magpies midway through the 2022 campaign. By July of the same year, he made his AFL debut.
That year, the attacking-minded onballer made six more appearances, one of which came in Collingwood’s victory over Fremantle in the semi-final.
After spending the majority of the 2023 season in the VFL, Carmichael made his one and only debut for Craig McRae’s team during their Round 3 matchup with Richmond last year.
This year, he participated in the first six games of the state league season before developing new concerns about concussions.
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