Geelong has been identified as the AFL club at the centre of claims it entered into a confidential agreement with one of its players regarding future brain injury liability.
The claims, first reported by the Herald Sun and discussed extensively on SEN, allege the agreement was made about two years ago with a player who had a history of concussion.
According to SEN chief football reporter Sam Edmund, the agreement required the player to assume legal responsibility for any future brain injury, prompting widespread concern across the football industry.
“We’re expecting an announcement from the AFL shortly and it’s unclear if Geelong will play a role in that and whether the player’s identity may be revealed,” Edmund said on SEN.
“We’re shocked and it’s hit the football industry wide. To what level the AFL knows of this is unknown.”
Geelong had not publicly commented on the claims at the time of publication.
The AFL Players’ Association has also confirmed it was unaware of the reported agreement until recently.
Edmund said AFL rules require player contracts to comply with the league’s standard playing contract and collective bargaining agreement, raising questions about whether such an arrangement could be legally enforceable.
“The AFLPA believe it’s not legally binding anyway,” he said.
Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson questioned how such an agreement could have been approved.
“From a coach’s eye, it’s hard to really fathom how you would get to the conclusion that this is a good thing to do,” Simpson said on SEN.
“We often say we’ve got the player’s health and safety and welfare at heart. It is the number one priority.”
Long-time player advocate Peter Jess described the reported agreement as “one of total disbelief”, arguing clubs had a responsibility to provide players with a safe workplace.
Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox also weighed in, saying concussion remained “a very serious issue” and player welfare must remain the priority.
The AFL is expected to issue a statement as it examines the reported agreement and whether any league rules were breached.