One of Australia’s leading neurologists has sounded the alarm on the dangers of repeated head knocks in training sessions for contact sports – calling on the nation’s sports codes to urgently implement new safety reforms.

Brain trauma expert Dr Rowena Mobbs, whose patients include sports stars Wally Lewis, Mark Carroll, and Mario Fenech, warns that the nation faces a major health emergency unless training methods undergo an immediate and radical overhaul.

She specifically singled out rugby league and the AFL as the two codes most at risk — both at professional and junior levels.

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“We need to get on top of it now for the players sake,” she said.

“It’s about brain safety here - not necessarily what’s best for the competition and whether they’re going to win.”

She says research is consistently pointing to the often-hidden risk that training sessions have of contributing to the devastating degenerative brain disease CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).

Her call comes after the codes spent years instituting major reforms to the way head traumas are handled in competition and on game day.

But Dr Mobbs warns that training sessions are the next frontier.

Her recommendations will spark a fierce debate between parents, players, coaches and fans.

She isn’t calling for the end of contact and collision in training – but a major reduction in the amount played and practiced.

She believes simply halving midweek collision training could dramatically reduce the risk of brain injury, especially in higher-risk positions.

“If we halve contact collision training, we may halve CTE, particularly for the higher risk positions.”

She says governing bodies must urgently revise training guidelines, especially for younger kids.

“It may be as young as age 12… or age 14… to limit that early exposure when the brain is developing,” she says.

But many ‘old guard’ players, coaches and fans say the head trauma protocols have already gone too far.

Rugby league legend and Canterbury general manager Phil Gould calls it “concussion hysteria”.

“Not every bump in the head is a concussion; not every concussion is life-threatening … It’s just total overkill.”

A spokesman for the NRL said today there are already strict protocols for training sessions at elite level — including compulsory video of all sessions, Head Injury Spotters and mandatory post-injury rest periods.

While for juniors, “Safe Play” and “Tackle Ready” programs have been implemented.

They say it could be dangerous to reduce contact training.

“Limiting contact training could be detrimental to the education and development of safe tackle techniques during a critical period of skills development,” a spokesman said.

The AFL is continuing to confront its growing concussion crisis.

This week, West Coast Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern announced his retirement after being advised to step away from the game by the AFL’s concussion panel.

McGovern, who played 197 games for the Eagles since debuting in 2014, was a key figure in the club’s 2018 premiership win over Collingwood.

While he admitted he was “gutted” not to play again, he said he accepted the panel’s decision and prioritised his long-term health.

The AFL says it has made dozens of changes to its rules in recent years to make the game safer and has invested in a 10-year, $25 million research program to measure head trauma at elite level competition.

They also admit training is under an ongoing review.

“We are closely monitoring the levels of head trauma in AFL and AFLW training through our Contact Training Data Collection Project,” a spokesman said.

“(That) will inform further consideration of whether changes to training are needed and if so in what form.”

Rugby Union promotes a maximum of 15 minutes contact training a week, the only code to specify a recommended limit.

Dr Mobbs’ greatest concern is for junior players.

“Ultimately CTE is preventable and minimisable… If kids especially learn to tackle later or are exposed to repeated head injury later… we’ll be on a winner,” says Dr Mobbs.

But suburban NRL coach Dan Hadchiti, also warns that cutting contact training for younger players could backfire.

“Repetition is the best way of learning… if you’re going to lessen the amount of tackling happening out at training in a controlled environment, what are you going to do when you’re out on the field?”

Hadchiti has played and coached for the Bankstown Bulls for 14 years. He says contact training is essential, but agrees training can be smarter and safer.

“The first 20 minutes of every session is contact and safe contact… making tackles effectively but also safely,” he explains.

For many parents, this warning is an alarm sounding, sparking a search for more information. But for some fans and families, it feels like an attack on sporting traditions they love. The clash between safety concerns and love of the game has sparked tough conversations in club rooms and living rooms across the country.

Dan Hadchiti believes there is a middle ground.

“We should be welcoming contact at training in a safe environment. It doesn’t need to be 100%, but just enough where the boys can understand what they’re doing, why they’re doing it.”

The Bankstown Bulls have a proud history of developing tough, talented players - including NFL star Jordan Mailata, who began his sporting life with the Bulls before launching his professional career in the United States.

But as concerns around brain injuries grow, even clubs with deep traditions are beginning to question how much risk is too much.

At 6PM tonight, 7NEWS will explore the science behind CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) and speak with veteran NRL star Trevor Crow’s wife, Sandra, who speaks passionately about the toll the game has taken on their family.

The full story airs tonight, 6PM.