A confronting on-field moment involving Jordon Butts has sparked a fierce response from AFL great Garry Lyon, who accused the defender of embracing outdated ‘macho’ behaviour after a heavy knock.
The incident unfolded during Adelaide’s clash with the Geelong Cats at GMHBA Stadium last Thursday night, when Butts was left dazed following accidental contact from teammate Lachlan McAndrew in the third quarter.
Despite appearing visibly affected, Butts initially remained on the ground and resisted immediate medical intervention, before eventually undergoing a Head Injury Assessment.
He passed the test at the time and returned to play, but days later reported symptoms consistent with delayed concussion, ruling him out of upcoming matches against the Fremantle Dockers and Carlton Blues.
The sequence of events drew a sharp reaction from Lyon, who questioned the mindset behind the decision to stay on the field.
‘Concussion remains one of the biggest issues in football, one of the biggest challenges in football,’ Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
Garry Lyon blasted Jordon Butts (right) for staying on the field after this head knock, calling it dangerous macho behaviour
The Adelaide defender (pictured) was later diagnosed with delayed concussion after passing his head injury assessment and continuing to play
Lyon questioned who Butts was trying to impress by ignoring doctors despite clearly appearing dazed after the collision
‘There are complexities surrounding players who have had their careers ended and lives uprooted on the back of concussion.’
Lyon then delivered a pointed rebuke directed at Butts.
‘So, to Jordon Butts, when you get whacked in the head, as you did on Thursday night…
‘What is this macho bulls**t of shrugging off the doctor and saying, ‘Get out of my way, I’m good enough, I’ll stay out there’, when the prudent, responsible course of action is to get yourself off the ground.’
He described the situation as avoidable and criticised the broader culture that encourages players to push through head knocks.
‘We had this farcical situation unfolding with Jordon Butts who gets hit in the head, looks dazed but decides in the best interest of everyone, ‘I’ll stay out here because I don’t know why’.
‘Who do you think you’re impressing? Who do you think you’re really impressing by staying out there when you’ve been dazed and the doctor is circling you. Get off the ground.’
The former Melbourne captain also raised concerns about the pressure placed on club medical staff when players delay coming off.
Lyon (pictured) said players need to prioritise safety over toughness amid growing concern around long-term risks from concussions
Adelaide’s season has started poorly, with one win from three games and clear signs of regression from last year
‘As it turns out, we had the circus going around where the Adelaide doctors looked at it and couldn’t get him off or didn’t get him off and then we had to get the intervention from upstairs and they said, ‘No, no, get that man off’ and then they got him off.’
Lyon warned that the consequences of such decisions are already being seen, with Butts now sidelined after delayed symptoms emerged.
‘They did the HIA, I think he came back on and now, lo and behold, delayed concussion symptoms and he’s going to miss the next two weeks.
‘Take responsibility, players, for the whole playing cohort. Not just for your own ego by thinking I’ll stay out because I’m tough. That’s not helping anyone these days.’
Under AFL protocols, Butts must remain symptom-free for a minimum period before being cleared to return, with Adelaide confirming the defender will miss at least two games.
Lyon’s comments come amid ongoing scrutiny around concussion management in the AFL, with increasing focus on player welfare and long-term health risks.
‘Take responsibility, do the right thing, get off the ground, do your HIA,’ Lyon said.
‘Doing this and trying to hoodwink doctors is not impressing anyone and it’s not helping anyone in the whole process.
‘So do the responsible thing and get off the ground.’
