If your child plays football, netball, basketball or cricket on the Mornington Peninsula, chances are you’ve heard the word “concussion” mentioned at training or on the sideline. But what actually is a concussion, and how do you know when a knock to the head needs more than just a bit of rest?
This guide is written for parents, coaches and community club volunteers across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and the wider Peninsula. Understanding the basics can help you respond calmly and appropriately when a concussion is suspected, rather than guessing what to do next.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury. It happens when a knock to the head, or even a forceful blow to the body that jolts the head, causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This can temporarily disrupt normal brain function. Importantly, a concussion doesn’t require loss of consciousness — in fact, most people who experience a concussion never black out at all.
Concussions are considered a functional injury rather than a structural one. Standard scans like CT or MRI usually appear normal, because a concussion affects how brain cells communicate rather than causing visible damage. This is one reason concussion is often described as tricky to diagnose using imaging alone, and why careful clinical assessment matters.
Common signs and symptoms
Concussion symptoms can appear immediately or develop over the following hours. They vary widely from person to person, which is part of what makes recognising a concussion challenging for parents and coaches alike. Symptoms generally fall into a few categories:
- Physical: headache, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems, fatigue
- Cognitive: feeling foggy or slowed down, difficulty concentrating, confusion, memory problems
- Emotional: irritability, sadness, feeling more emotional than usual, anxiety
- Sleep-related: drowsiness, sleeping more or less than usual, trouble falling asleep
A young athlete doesn’t need to show every symptom on this list for a concussion to be suspected. Even one or two of these signs following a knock, whether during a match at a local oval or a training session, is reason enough to stop play and seek guidance.
Why junior athletes need extra care
Children and adolescents are generally understood to take longer to recover from concussion than adults, and their still-developing brains may be more vulnerable to the effects of head injury. This is why guidelines from bodies such as the AFL, and frameworks like those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI), place such emphasis on a cautious, conservative approach for junior sports players.
Local clubs across the Mornington Peninsula are increasingly building concussion awareness into their culture, and that starts with coaches, parents and players all understanding the same basic message: when in doubt, sit them out.
What to do if you suspect a concussion
If a player shows any signs of a possible concussion, the response should always prioritise caution over convenience. A general approach includes:
- Remove the young athlete from play immediately, even if symptoms seem mild
- Do not leave them alone in the hours following the injury
- Avoid giving them anti-inflammatory medication or aspirin unless advised by a medical professional
- Seek assessment from an appropriately trained health professional as soon as practical
- Watch for worsening symptoms such as repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, or unusual drowsiness, which warrant urgent medical attention
A proper assessment can help support informed decisions about rest, gradual return to activity and school, and eventual return to sport. It does not prevent concussion from occurring, and no test can guarantee an injury-free return to play — but structured assessment can help guide a more considered recovery pathway. If you’re looking for concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula, our team at The Seaside Osteo in McCrae works from recognised concussion frameworks to support families through this process.
Recovery is rarely a straight line
Most people who experience a concussion recover within a few weeks, but recovery timeframes differ from person to person and shouldn’t be rushed. Returning to sport, school or screen time too quickly can potentially prolong symptoms. A staged, symptom-guided approach — often involving light activity before a gradual return to full training and competition — is generally recommended in current concussion guidelines.
Because every concussion is different, working with a health professional familiar with concussion assessment and management can help families and clubs navigate this process with more confidence, rather than relying on guesswork about when it’s safe to return.
Building concussion awareness across the Peninsula
Recognising concussion is a community effort. Coaches, teachers, parents and club volunteers all play a role in creating a culture where young athletes feel comfortable reporting symptoms rather than “toughing it out”. Education sessions can be a useful way for local clubs and families to build this shared understanding. If your club or school community would benefit from learning more, our free concussion workshop covers the essentials in plain language.
Concussion can also sit alongside other injuries commonly seen in junior and community sport. If you’re unsure whether an injury needs assessment, it may help to look through the conditions we treat for a broader picture of how allied health support can fit into recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can a concussion happen without losing consciousness?
Yes. Most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms like headache, dizziness, confusion or feeling foggy are far more common indicators than blacking out, so these should never be dismissed just because a player stayed conscious.
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Recovery varies significantly between individuals, but many people improve within a couple of weeks with appropriate rest and a gradual, guided return to activity. Some people take longer, which is why individual assessment and monitoring is important rather than following a fixed timeline.
Should a child go to hospital after a suspected concussion?
If there are red flag symptoms such as repeated vomiting, worsening headache, seizures, unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking, urgent medical attention should be sought. For milder presentations, assessment from a health professional experienced in concussion management is still recommended as soon as practical.
Is a scan needed to diagnose a concussion?
Not usually. Concussion is a functional injury, meaning standard CT or MRI scans typically appear normal even when a concussion has occurred. Diagnosis generally relies on clinical assessment of symptoms, history and function rather than imaging.
Can concussion testing guarantee my child is safe to return to sport?
No test can guarantee safety or prevent future injury. Concussion assessment is designed to support informed, cautious decision-making about recovery and return to activity, based on recognised concussion guidelines and an individual’s presentation over time.
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.