It’s one of the most common phrases heard on sidelines across the Mornington Peninsula: “You’re right, just shake it off.” A player takes a knock, looks a bit dazed, sits out for a minute, then heads back into the game. It feels like resilience. In reality, it can mean sending someone back onto the field with an unrecognised brain injury.
Concussion is a functional brain injury, not a bruise or a bump that simply needs a moment to pass. It cannot be assessed by eyeballing a player from the boundary line, and it certainly cannot be “toughed out”. Understanding why the shake-it-off mentality is outdated — and what a more considered response looks like — is important for parents, coaches and community clubs across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and the wider Peninsula.
Why “Shake It Off” Misses the Point
The phrase suggests concussion is a fleeting moment of grogginess that resolves with a bit of grit. But concussion involves a temporary disruption to how the brain processes and transmits information. Symptoms are not always obvious in the first few minutes, and some players do not show any visible signs at all. A person can look and sound relatively normal immediately after an impact while still experiencing a significant injury underneath.
Pushing through, rather than pausing to properly recognise what has happened, removes the opportunity for early, informed decision-making. This is one of the key reasons recognised frameworks, including those used in AFL concussion guidelines and the Complete Concussions (CCMI) approach, emphasise removal from play and structured assessment over “wait and see” judgement calls made in the heat of a game.
Signs and Symptoms Parents and Coaches Should Know
Concussion can present differently from one person to the next, and symptoms can also evolve over the hours following an incident. Some signs are immediately visible, while others are reported by the player themselves or only become noticeable later that day or the next.
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly, or appearing dazed or vacant
- Balance problems, unsteadiness or slow movement
- Headache, dizziness, nausea or sensitivity to light and noise
- Confusion, slowed responses or difficulty concentrating
- Memory gaps around the incident, or asking the same questions repeatedly
- Emotional changes, such as increased irritability or being unusually quiet
Any one of these signs, on its own, is a reason to stop play and seek a proper assessment. Delayed onset is common, which is why ongoing observation matters even after a player has left the field seeming okay.
What “Responding Properly” Actually Looks Like
A considered response starts with a simple rule: if in doubt, sit them out. There is no test performed pitch-side that can safely clear a player to return to the same game once concussion is suspected. The priority in the moment is safety, not speed of return.
From there, a structured process of monitoring and assessment should follow, guided by recognised concussion protocols rather than guesswork. This is where concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula plays a supporting role — helping to build a clearer picture of how a player is tracking, so that decisions around rest, return to school or work, and eventual return to sport are informed rather than assumed.
Why Baseline and Follow-Up Testing Helps
One of the challenges with concussion is that there is no single visible marker, like a fracture on an x-ray, that confirms the injury or its severity. This is why structured testing, ideally compared against a baseline taken before injury, can support a clearer understanding of a player’s cognitive and physical function over time.
Our osteopaths at The Seaside Osteo are trained through the Complete Concussions (CCMI) framework, which provides a structured, evidence-informed approach to assessment and monitoring. Testing does not prevent concussion from occurring, and it cannot guarantee a safe return to play on its own — but it does provide useful information to support families, coaches and treating practitioners as they navigate recovery. You can read more about our approach on our concussion page.
Building a Concussion-Aware Culture in Local Sport
Junior sports players across football (soccer), AFL, netball, basketball and cricket clubs on the Peninsula all face some level of head knock risk during training and games. Building a culture where players, parents and coaches feel comfortable pausing to check on a possible concussion — rather than pushing through for the sake of the game — takes ongoing education.
Clubs and families wanting to build this understanding within their community may find it helpful to attend a free concussion workshop, which covers recognition, response and the basics of what to expect during recovery. This kind of proactive education is far more useful than relying on outdated assumptions once an injury has already happened.
Concussion Is One Part of a Bigger Picture
Concussion sits alongside a range of other injuries our team supports across the Peninsula, from joint and muscle complaints to broader movement concerns. If you are unsure whether a niggling issue, old injury or ongoing symptom is related to a previous head knock or something else entirely, it is worth discussing with a practitioner. Our conditions we treat page gives a general overview of the areas our osteopaths work with.
Shaking off a concussion is never the safe option. Recognising the signs early and responding with a structured, informed approach gives players across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye the best chance of a considered recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone have a concussion without losing consciousness?
Yes. Most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms such as headache, confusion, dizziness or feeling ‘foggy’ are far more common indicators and should still be taken seriously.
How soon after a head knock should concussion testing happen?
Assessment should begin as soon as possible after the incident, with the priority being removal from play if concussion is suspected. Follow-up testing over the following days helps track how symptoms are progressing.
Is it safe for a young athlete to return to play the same day?
Recognised guidelines, including AFL concussion protocols, advise against returning to play on the same day if concussion is suspected. Recovery timeframes vary between individuals and should be guided by proper assessment.
What is baseline testing and why does it matter?
Baseline testing records a player’s normal cognitive and physical function before any injury occurs, giving a helpful point of comparison if a concussion is later suspected. It supports, but does not replace, individual clinical assessment.
Do osteopaths treat concussion directly?
Osteopaths trained in recognised concussion frameworks, such as Complete Concussions (CCMI), can support assessment, monitoring and guidance around graduated return to activity, often working alongside other health professionals as needed.
Concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
To learn more or arrange concussion testing, assessment or return-to-play support, visit our concussion testing page or book an appointment online with The Seaside Osteo in McCrae.
This article is general information for Mornington Peninsula families and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you suspect a concussion, seek advice from a qualified health practitioner, and call 000 if there are emergency warning signs.