Former AFL player and coach Rodney Eade is convinced harsh penalties handed down by the AFL for collisions gone wrong will lead to players shirking contests out of fear of suspensions.
The conversation comes in the wake of Essendon forward Peter Wright receiving a four-week ban for a bump which concussed Sydney's Harry Cunningham last weekend.
When asked by Rohan Connolly on this week's Footyology podcast, Eade was adamant the league will soon face the issue of players electing to avoid contact -- an action which in the past has been met with fierce criticism from media and fans alike.
"With the way the AFL is going, there's no doubt [shirking contests] will happen," Eade said. "Whether that's five years down the track or whether that's one year down the track ... we don't want to be a bruise-free game, because that's one of the elements we love, but at the same time there has to be that balance of caring for the player."
Eade also believes the ongoing lawsuits undertaken by former AFL players seeking concussion damages has changed the way the league approaches the issue.
"They have to show now a real duty of care towards the player," he said. "It's already started for older players that started to litigate. If litigation goes on too much, well the game could be absolutely shot."
-- Listen to the full chat on the Footyology podcast
The AFL is under pressure to disincentivise avoidable headknocks with lawsuits from former players looming, and following the shock retirement of Andrew Brayshaw on the eve of the season.
Former Demon Brayshaw was knocked out in a similar collision in last year's qualifying final loss to Collingwood, and he was encouraged to call time on his career after a number of concussion incidents.