American reacts to BIGGEST AFL HITS EVER!

[@zipline5248]

Speaking as an Australian, i don't think the players would ever let helmets be part of the game

[@redherring6154]

Well the players always adapt to rule changes, it would be no different to be mandated to wear a head guard.

[@judithstrachan9399]

I’m not sure helmets would prevent most of these injuries anyway. The head injuries seem to be more from shaking & most of the tackles aren’t head-high illegal).

[@susswerve]

The only thing is the only wear helmets only if they got concussed

[@TheLyds01]

Grand final is soon. That’ll be a good live one to watch

[@jenniferharrison8915]

That's always exciting, to the last medal awarded and family photo call! 🎉

[@CarolynGenn]

Yeah Brisbane lions vs Sydney swans

[@susswerve]

BRISBANE

[@Tech_Inovators]

GOOO The Lionsss

[@jenniferharrison8915]

@@Tech_Inovators SWANS! 👍😻

[@acidhand]

The game has softened over the last 10-15 years with respect around concussions. The older hits of the 80s and 90s are brutal, need to look up guys like Tony Lockett, biggest goal haul in history but if he wasn't suspended so much he would have had a bigger haul. Love the AFL hits from 30 years ago.

[@warwickofnorwich]

You said it yourself about the whiplash causing concussions. Helmets wouldn’t stop concussions. There have been plenty of NFL players who have had concussions. Aren’t some of them even suing the NFL?

[@redherring6154]

Nah but still it would help in a collision between head knocks and with OH&S I think it’s unavoidable for the AFL not t9 act. Old school won’t adapt well, but if kids are raised from Junior Footy to wear some sort of head protection they won’t know the difference.

[@kazacokova]

😢 helmets would be the end of AFL. Thanks, keep helmets in US football.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

And shoulder pads, and I'm a delicate princess breaks! 😏

[@CJArnold-hq3ey]

🇦🇺👊👊👌 Alphas

[@redherring6154]

They are coming I reckon. Too much concussion and MND for the AFL not to,and the responsibility under OH&S laws.

[@stevewren1079]

Why would you need a helmet when you all you’re doing is kicking and catching. Biggest scamming world sport

[@RickA17]

@@stevewren1079 clearly never watched an afl game ya numpty

[@KelpieDog]

Interesting bit of trivia - AFL was initially invented in the 1850's to give cricketers something to keep them fit during the off season.

[@ryanreaction]

haha interesting to invent a contact sport where you can get injured as a way of conditioning athletes in the off season

[@amazonian4789]

@@ryanreaction it’s derived from marngrook a aboriginal sport

[@judithstrachan9399]

@@ryanreaction It isn’t supposed to be quite this hurty-contact.

[@stormy8207]

@@amazonian4789 and gaelic football

[@mjames4709]

@@ryanreaction 😅

[@TC50730]

Yeah, you can do what's known as a 'shepherd' or hip and shoulder when the player's not in possession of the ball, but within 10 metres of the play. These days though, it needs to be a legal shepherd, with consideration for the other player. Especially head.

[@lynocallaghan3190]

I was a little surprised that you missed the commentator saying 'Down he went like a bag of spuds', I would have enjoyed seeing your reaction to that 😄

[@michelleclark79709]

It’s great watching a game on the tv but there’s nothing like the atmosphere when you’re actually at the game 50-100,000 people (depending on the capacity of the stadium) all reacting to the same things is indescribable. Kinda like being at a concert but more intense.

[@35manning]

Boxing introduced gloves to protect boxers hands. It did that, and it allowed boxers to hit harder causing more head injuries. Sometimes "safety" equipment actually reduces safety. It puts the uaer in the mindset of "this is safe, I've got X to protect" me and so they go harder and take greater risks past what the safety gear is intended for or capable of protecting against. I drive an older vehicle, it doesnt have ABS, it doesnt have traction control, it doesn't have airbags or even modern crumple zones. I know getting into a serious accident with it will hurt me, so I avoid driving in such a way that might cause such accidents. Of course, in the context of my car in a minor crash, it will win and drive away. A modern vehicle with crumple zones and airbags won't.

[@Aquarium-Downunder]

I love the old V8's

[@35manning]

@@Aquarium-Downunder my first car was a 1978 UC Torana, then a 1990 Rodeo and then a 1989 GQ Patrol. I've had a couple other cars as well, but I regret getting rid of the Torana and I still have the Patrol, which I'll NEVER regret getting rid of because I'll never get rid of it. Never had a V8 myself, but the older cars just look better and sound better.

[@amazonian4789]

Excuses excuses 😂😂😂

[@judithstrachan9399]

This is true: gloves did = fewer hand injuries, more head injuries.

[@dresdyn100]

Popping the airbags will also make the insurance company seriously consider writing off the vehicle even if there's little other damage if your car is more than a couple of years old. They can be expensive.

[@Danger_Mouse_00]

America has a AFL league of their own. Nothing like oyrs but still you could gonwatch a game there live.

[@jessovenden]

The afl is trying to address the issue of concussions in our game. One 24 yo promising player was compulsorily retired recently because he had had too many bad head bumps. In the older clips especially here I think the commentators are hilarious. They love the big collisions, and often say Bang! when a big one occurs

[@Milzykinz]

Except if you’re in Australia, where every child does this to each other in school😂😂😂 0:26

[@karenstrong8887]

The punch is called a handball. Some wear the soft helmets like training boxers do. They have been studying the amount of concussions and long term problems with too many for sometime now. They will not wear pads or helmets. They are real elite athletes and the first coded football anywhere. You are asking for a lot of history to be changed. They have changed the game to make it safer but still fast and fun.

[@jessovenden]

Well said Karen.

[@rollerat22]

Man if you ever get to Australia, you would love it whatever you have seen on the net it's better in real life

[@martinwhite3559]

If you want something to react to the try this. Australia is in football finals at the moment. Check out highlights of last weekends games.

[@stephaniehawkins5211]

Australia's premier spectator sport is one of the most exciting, skilful, tough, and fast paced games in the world and played by some of the fittest athletes on the planet. Ruck players (midfield) are generally around 200cm in height and weigh 100-110kg. Key position players (forwards/defenders) may be similar in body size. Other midfielders will be shorter, between 180-190cm, and weigh between 80-90kg.The record for the tallest AFL player currently rests with three different players at 211cm: Peter Street, Aaron Sandilands and Mason Cox.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Michael J Fox was famously too small for ice hockey although very promising. Imagine him in AFL!

[@laurendixon7073]

Funny you mention mouth guards, about a year or so ago a Hawthorn player didn’t wear his mouth guard and partially severed his tongue after hitting his head. Ouch!

[@rmsteutonic3686]

The Brisbane lions just pulled off a 44 point comeback, should check it out.

[@CJArnold-hq3ey]

Charlie Cameron's Cousin has spoken

[@Fuelchugger1099]

4:32 harris andrews got knocked out cold and suffered a shattered jaw, amazingly he still plays. You will see him at the granny

[@MikeyIsSoGreen]

The fun thing about the one at 13:25 is they are brothers. Also, helmets don't prevent concussion. Concussion is the result of the brain rattling around violently in the skull when the head stops moving suddenly. Helmets probably actually lead to more concussions because of the false sense of security they foster.

[@lesflynn4455]

Great upload Ryan. I've just moved to a city in country Victoria. This state is the home of the AFL. I'll be going to a game sometime. Only 2hrs from Melbourne on the train. It's a bit late in the season to catch a game this year, but next year, for sure.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Enjoy! I was in Melbourne a few months ago but didn’t catch a game. My team was playing in Brisbane, of all places, 2 hours from where I live!

[@manners8150]

You can see how the games changed for the better. Those intentional head high bumps are looked down upon now and good solid bumps that don't hit the head are fkn awesome still

[@optimusmaximus9646]

Gee, I miss the late Lou Richards MBE behind the microphone. What a legend!

[@ianenniss4405]

Some of those little looking kids are over 6foot tall 😊

[@KT-ki2nv]

Some players do wear cushioned helmets usually after they have been hit too many times and their body can’t take any more hits. Pretty rare though.

[@mickcain2203]

Omg I laughed my guts out “ he was watching it like a kid watching a bouncing ball and was then sidelined by a bus” 🤣🤣🤣….. more like he was hit by a Mack truck, onya Ryan 👍👍👍

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Problem with helmets is they make you braver, so you go harder, plus theybdont stop the brain rattling inside the skull, its a big problem. These hits are nearly all illegal, nearly 😂

[@rustyboi7256]

Do a live watch along on grand final day coming up Saturday next week (Melbourne time) at 2:30pm. I hope that won't be the middle of the night for you, but it could be. If not, there are heaps of full replays of grand finals on KZbin.

[@vinsgraphics]

In high school I smacked head on with another player in the field… but it was cricket, not Aussie Rules. We both had eyes on a full and didn’t see each other. I was wearing my glasses and the impact pushed the bridge right into my nose, a slice between the eyes. Even the hits in rugby weren’t as bad as that.

[@DeathAblazed]

helmets don't stop concussion. In fact they make them worse by giving people a false sense of security which causes them to go in harder and even lead with the head.

[@amazonian4789]

😂😂😂 excuses excuses, if you ain’t running the hardest you can then what’s the point of being out there head gear or no head gear,😂😂😂

[@emokidzrawr]

9:07 Lewis got that massive hit, come back on to play the rest of the game, strong bloke he was, and was a good player to Hawks a few years back

[@tigereye22]

You should look at the closest games ever, the showdown from 2 years ago saw the Crows down by i think 4 points, Dawson gets a free kick and kicks the winning goal against port adelaide after the final siren. Many other games were super close too like Adelaide crows vs essendon past 3 mins. Or the latest game Port vs Hawthorn

[@Thomamps]

Closest games ever and you didn't mention the drawn Grand finals that had to be played again the next week.

[@tigereye22]

​​@@Thomamps yeah mate theyre all hella exciting aye, i dont get why they dont do a sudden death overtime with GF, just bounce the ball and whoever scores wins

[@judithstrachan9399]

@@Thomampsreplaying next week means selling more tickets?

[@xinyixinisterx]

@3:57 Luke Hodge not only bumps Heppell in the face, he then proceeds to try and whack the next opponent in the face.

[@hedonismunderstands2469]

some of these guys are running 14-16 km per game - a loooot more than 'soccer'... btw, 13:27, they are brothers! joel [in stripes] was one of the great warriors of the game.

[@richber]

Harris Andrews was in an induce coma after the Jeremy Cameron hit. He had a bleed on the brain. I think it was about a month before he was back up and mobile. He's been playing again for the Lions this year. Full credit to him.

[@blaiserox]

I appreciate you doing this so much mate. Thanks man.

[@nicolepalachicky8033]

America has an AFL league, both men and women's.

[@MaddieTudor-n1c]

I was at that GWS and Essendon game, great win

[@estherkeeler9211]

I love this sport. Looking forward to the Grand Final this weekend.

[@Tech_Inovators]

Bro, I find it so funny the way you react to these hits lol, I guess to me its a usual thing to see this happen XD

[@redherring6154]

Being stepped on with cleats is the least of ya problems, check out I think it was James Hird (Essendon) getting getting a face improvement at Subiaco? Not sure about the oval, but it was Perth against the Eagles, he got fuvked up and needed a face reconstruction. Man that was bad and I felt for the bloke, but he was never much to look at anyway.

[@russellmckane]

It's called a Shepard legal as long as it's weighing 5meters of the player with the ball. It clears the way for the possessive player to get a kick or handball way.

[@AFLTime23]

It’s finals time baby and you gotta react to the grand final. It will probably be in the headlines in a couple of weeks anyway when you make your this week in australia videos.

[@jsegal8385]

There i compilation called called "Top 10 AFL Villians showing the hits in AFL from the '60's to the '90's They have the top 10 Villains' with a few honorable mentions. It can be found here kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3Wsn36Mptp5rqs When you have Mal Brown drop 4 guys with 4 punches in 10 seconds in front of the umpire and he is only 'An honorable mention you know it is going to be rough...Its also why the had to clean the game up...and they did. Modern day AFL is clean compared to what it used to be.

[@Vicocomoe]

I don’t know, Barry Hall had his moments 🤷‍♀️

[@CJArnold-hq3ey]

Neil Balme

[@Rubytuesday1569]

Grandfinal this Saturday Ryno. Sydney v Brisbane plus 100,000 fans. Good one to watch live. ☮️

[@de-annewaters2632]

can confirm Australians had beyblades when we were young. Can also confirm that there are definitely bigger hits than this - some where they have had to bring the player off on a stretcher cause they don't want to move their neck the wrong way. In the prelim final this year, one player dislocated his shoulder. They popped it back in, he came back on and did it again 40 minutes later. Also, can confirm, they are allowed to wear soft helmets.

[@grumpyoldmankungfoo772]

Now I hope you check out the top marks of all time. And check out Alex Jesilenko

[@BainesAdam]

My old man coached Alex Jesalenko over 50 years ago as a junior in Canberra.

[@judithstrachan9399]

@@BainesAdamHe did well.

[@Josh_JKL]

The thing with helmets is that they don't actually stop concussion at all from impact like this (it only really helps lessen the impact when they hit the ground with less velocity), the brain will still bounce around in the skull with the body to head hits. The worse part is helmets give players a false sense of safety as seen previously in the NFL when guys think their heads are safe and put their heads down to barge through.

[@judithstrachan9399]

My thoughts exactly.

[@westozy76]

Liam Ryans tackle on Maynard during the 2018 GF turned the game for the Mighty West Coast Eagles

[@ImagineMySurprise510]

While it's possible helmets and pads may become a thing it's not very likely. There's a lot of opposition to this, including from many players themselves. There is a feeling among many that being unprotected keeps the play more real, more authentic.

[@jonsant7232]

When you are at the game you hardly even notice these hits unless it's close to where you're sitting or have a good view of the big screen, that's the pace and energy of the game. Best type of football in the world, certainly not for the soft, weak or unfit. I've had several broken bones one requiring surgery resulting in a plate and 9 screws but broken ribs hurt the most except when 2 male nurses tried to straighten my wrist 😬 I hope helmets are never part of the game but with today's concussion rules who knows.

[@adamhend3211]

Rugby League (NRL) is a much more physical game with a lot of big contact in every game. The AFL players are probably a little more aerobically fit, but NRL players would generally be stronger overall, though recent rule changes have sped the NRL game up more. Concussions are happening in nearly every game now. Helmets and head pads won't reduce the concussion issue much because of the fast body impacts.

[@AndyFNQ84]

NRL has a lot more regular contact, but it is generally expected and from directly in front (or close to it). Players brace to weather the hit. AFL has less heavy contact, but more chance of heavy contact when you are completely unprepared and from any direction. Notice how many blokes in the video never saw what hit them until too late. Both great games for players prepared to give and take a hit.

[@elisahelen]

Semi finals Friday and Saturday nights. Grand final Saturday week. Always great games

[@56music64]

Sorry, have to say it, Go The Mighty Lions!

[@bricecampbell9614]

Mouthguards not always ideal either at times. One of the Brisbane players had a couple teeth stuck in his mouth guard last season and had to keep it in until he got to hospital

[@aliquinn2474]

You should watch AFL player Barry Hall biggest hits. He was renound for his aggressive play. He is a huge man.

[@visionsofcody1]

Somebody should wrap them in bubble wrap! 😮

[@1legend517]

Like two bricks colliding! Lol!! I remember that.

[@CoffeeAcorn]

9:20 in modern times, the ruck (guy who gets the ball at the start of play from the centre bounce) normally wears a shin protector on their dominant leg as well, not just mouth guard

[@michaelbarrett3076]

There's a thing in footy called a hospital pass, it's your job to not deliver a hospital pass to your teammates

[@kerrydwyer1879]

Dear Ryan...In AFL and VFL there are so many really famous,skilled players who...as they age get a certain form of dementia. Recent medical studies have shown that it can be from one concussion when young. Very sad... Same things are happening from horse falls. More deaths in Australia from horse falls than anything else...even than car accidents... I got a fractured skull and kick in the left fac at age 11 at a riding school....Im 61 now and am paying for it ( cervical 1-7) all damaged. BRAIN MRI REALLY NOT GOOD... These guys are skilled ..but, as you rightly pointed out...helmets would be good...Cheers😊

[@chriswharton]

One of our blokes had some teeth knocked out in a clash. After the game they were searched for on the ground and found. It was hoped they could be re-implanted at the hospital and if I remember correctly, they were.

[@JackieYoung-q6t]

Yes we had Bayblads in Australia.

[@andreaaprico1704]

Watching out for hitting heads is only a recents thing. The older footage in this clip really shows how anything went up to about 5-8 years ago

[@Cailey_forman]

Love the video!! By the way, we actually don’t say happy arvo, since happy afternoon isn’t a saying (idk about America). We say good arvo (g’d arvo) or even just “arvo”. ❤❤

[@nolamullen1889]

The interesting thing is that there are less concussions in the AFL than NFL

[@Mrharryprosser]

Some players with a history of concussion do wear soft padded headgear without the hard outer shell. After it became known that some of the players from years past suffered long term problems, new rules are being implemented to make it compulsory to care for your opponents wellbeing. Failure to do so incurs severe penalties.

[@Honkersification]

haha! You are a very funny man. Aussie Rules is pretty full on. I should know. I prefer to think of it as ballet on the run with the occasional hit. Rugby on the other hand...

[@MrGluey666]

Ryan, you should watch Port Adelaide team sing Never Tear Us Apart by INXS in their home games, its a crowd pleaser

[@grumpyoldmankungfoo772]

and no padding like the poncey yanks have.

[@Donna-C]

This weekend will see the Second Preliminary Final at The MCG between Geelong Cats & Brisbane Lions will have a crowd of over 90,000! The winner will be into The 2024 AFL Grand Final - watch it live!

[@leightonbiddell724]

😂😂😂 We live hard and we play hard to.

[@kazz3956]

There are now concussion protocols in AFL. Damage from repeated concussions can have lasting effects. Maybe google CTE or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. I hope one day they can detect this disease prior to autopsy.

[@Nintengod0900]

Fun fact, the Harris Andrews injury caused him to bleed in the brain and almost died. He is now the co captain of the lions

[@Procrastination_Moose]

Helmets v No Helmets, it's always up for discussion. While helmet can add protection in a collision in a sport like AFL or NFL, the rate of whiplash, concussion and CTE is about the in both kinds of sports. If you want to check out a sport where headgear is optional is NRL. Highly recommend.

[@zwieseler]

It’s finals time. You’ve already missed some cliffhangers. A few left.

[@leanneschulz5740]

We make them tough here have you watched a game of Rugby league yet it's like your Gridiron only more brutal and once again NO padding. Aussies Rock

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Played footy and Rugby till I was thirty, then my body said, nah. Mate, the amateurs punch on 😂 The average height of these blokes is like 6"3', 90kgs, they're big boys

[@CJArnold-hq3ey]

Exactly my height and playing weight before being struck down with ITP blood dissorder - ya nailed it - glad I was a Avge Joe 👌

[@JackH2254]

Just play Oztag now instead

[@SirSSau]

Soft padded Helmets are an option, but no one wants to wear them, rather risk head injury than to feel like my head is gonna explode from overheating 😂 that’s the mentality. I get it, same when I was boxing, I hated helmets when sparring.

[@DarrylGraney]

The trouble with helmets (the hard variety) is that they become a weapon. The wearing of hard shell helmets in the NFL has not stopped chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), whether the helmet has reduced the instances of CTE or not is debatable due to lack of historic data. One thing about it is the ambulance chasers (lawyers in Australia) are going to come out in front.

[@TalzMitto]

There are some players that wear a form of helmet. They're basically just a foam padding. CTE has become a major discussion point with past legends affected.

[@SithKingVader]

11:35 they do have helmets just most people choose not to wear them

[@dairutherford8238]

the biggest difference between afl and most other contact sports is that the contact is 360 degrees... they can come from any angle

[@AndyFNQ84]

Helmets would just cause worse injuries. Imagine having a huge fibreglass rock smashing into your body at speed! AFL is like boxing; be aware of your surroundings and protect yourself at all times. It's a game for the bold.

[@CoffeeAcorn]

brisbane vs gws last week had a big head on head hit where they didn't stop the game because umpiring in the finals is awful

[@AndyViant]

Sydney vs Brisbane on Saturday (Friday your time). Go and see it at a pub or bar.

[@Simmogray]

I’d rather get hit ten times by someone’s shoulder then someone dive at me head first with a big metal helmet helmets themselves actually cause plenty of injuries in the nfl

[@leighreganarblaster9852]

I’m 48 I can remember in younger and those hits was legal. I started watching AFL then VFL I980 and was a tougher

[@adamparker9765]

They really have clamped down on these big hits . The AFL is really worried about litigation from retired players and long concussion . Any hard contact to the head usually results in weeks of suspension now . Mind you the grand final is coming up in a couple of weeks and no one worries about being reported in that . 😉

[@StephenMcGregor1986]

After that dang pesky blood rule is where it all went down hill

[@OliverPickburn]

I play footy myself, in my final there was a fight and one of our players are now in a coma because he got punched in the head

[@gregoryparnell2775]

Do you think us Aussies are a bit crazy ?. When the going gets tough the tough get going.

[@JackH2254]

We’re tough, that’s why AFL and Rugby are the two highest view sports, and why Football, despite being the most viewed sport worldwide, gets far less attention than the Big Two.

[@pressb]

Aussie rules is way fun to play.

[@Honkersification]

Hah! It's called 'shepparding' (sic), when you protect another player. I still prefer cricket.

[@isocol795]

when the ball is yellow, its likely that the pitch is wet, or that it is raining, or has rained recently

[@isocol795]

also as a note, the mouth guard tends to end up being more to protect the teeth than the tongue; lots of kids get a tooth or two knocked out playing at school lol

[@isocol795]

also also, footy has a lot of generational players; siblings, parents, grandparents who all played because of this, whenever there are two people on the pitch with the same last name, the commentators often discuss what the hell they are going to call them the list includes jersey numbers, nicknames, first names, their respective teams names, or they just say screw it and let you try to figure it out yourself

[@joanneelson749]

You are so right. you do need padding. But it is so uncool. When you get hit you get a free kick. It does not matter about long term injuries.

[@alxedixon]

Having padding and helmets would ruin the game. Over here in Australia we are raided with some balls you guys can keep the pillow bumps. Good reaction

[@Matt-jy6zj]

Next Saturday 28th is the Grand Final Sydney v Brisbane

[@wnood]

That was a fair bump. Players rnt allowed to be hit above the shoulder, so they set up the oppostion and drop thier knees so the hit ends up too high. Thats what we call a professional free, as the Tigers player (black and yellow), played for the free. Note - kids learn to drop and roll from a young age. They arnt allowed to tackle until 14, but they have had many years learning how to fall and protect yourself in a contest. It might look hard, but professionals train many times a week inc gym sessions and can handle these bumps.

[@robynjefferson4779]

A very fast pace.