1 AFL Injury Report: Season 2006

A landmark report, presenting findings from the 15th consecutive year of injury surveillance for the AFL, the last ten years with 100 % compliance. Exhibits long-term downward trend in injury incidence over ten and fifteen year periods, with injury incidence in 2006 the lowest recorded. Shows an ongoing reduction in both ruck-related and general posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) knee injuries since the centre bounce rule change. Shows ongoing downward trends in head and neck injuries, justifying the lower tolerance of head-high contact in recent years. Season 2006 resulted in a relatively high number of knee ACL injuries (leading to knee reconstructions). The only injury category which appears to be increasing slightly in recent years is shoulder injuries. Part of this increase may be artefact in that teams not participating in the finals are now more likely to elect for players who need shoulder surgery to undertake this before the end o