The decision brings local competitions in line with the guidelines introduced in the top level this year, and players will also require a medical clearance before they can play again.

While the vast majority of local clubs have been taking the issue seriously given the increase in awareness and publicity the last few years, Fraser said making the 12-day rest mandatory was a strong next step.

"You've got to take concussion seriously, the issue isn't something you can brush over," Fraser, also a long-time trainer at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, said.

"The younger the player at our club, the longer we usually give them to recover, so it's a good idea.

"We usually follow the protocol at training just to see how they are going. When they first come back they may have three or four days until they start training, then they may do a few laps and if they don't feel good they don't train anymore.

"Usually it's no contact for the first week and we see how they go, and if they're not progressing we step it back a cog.

"It's a serious injury and there's more awareness and publicity about it now. The clubs have taken on board the best sports trainers and they have the last say, which they should do in each club."

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Fraser has been at the Lions for 30 years and said the stigma around players wanting to look 'tough' and stay on after head knocks is diminishing as more knowledge becomes available.

"We're lucky, they (players) accept whatever I say and I'm sure most clubs are like that," he said.

"They're pretty good with it, you've got a duty of care to look after them. They accept your decision to help them along the way."

When announcing the guidelines, the AFL stipulated a more conservative approach than 12 days may be required in some instances due to a lack of baseline testing and a medical doctor to oversee each stage of a concussed players' return.

The recovery time for children and adolescents is also generally longer.

"The focus must be on ensuring that players pass through each of the steps safely (i.e. rest, recovery and a graded return), without a recurrence of symptoms, rather than simply progressing through a schedule," AFL chief medical officer Peter Harcourt said.

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