Geelong has been identified as the AFL club that is reported to have reached a contractual agreement with a star player to protect itself from potential future legal action.
In a bombshell development first reported by Code Sports, a current Geelong player has signed a deal to assume responsibility for any brain injuries he receives in future.
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In a landmark agreement which had not previously been disclosed, the player is reported to have signed off on a deal where he has acknowledged he will play with a higher risk of potentially significant long-term or even permanent neurological damage.
According to the report, the player, who has already suffered a number of head knocks during his career, and the club first agreed to a deal two years ago.
The player, who has not been identified, is reported to have reached the agreement in a desperate attempt to continue his football career.
The club also hoped to help the player extend his career, while also protecting itself and medical staff from future legal action.
Herald Sun chief football writer and Fox Footy commentator Jay Clark said on Thursday morning players across the game are aware the agreement sets a “dangerous example”.
“A Victorian club has signed a secret deal with one of its players, which required them to accept all legal risks of any further head trauma they suffered on the field,” Clark said in a video posted to CODE Sports.
“This is a current-day player – who has suffered multiple concussions – who signed an agreement, which said they take it upon themselves – the physical and legal risk of loss, damage or injury arising from anymore brain injuries.
“Incredibly, this is a major worry for AFL players because it sets a dangerous example for others to essentially wave their legal rights on head trauma.
“My understanding is this isn’t the only assumption of risk agreement which has existed on concussion at AFL level. So it wasn’t the first, but it very well could be the last.
“Unsurprisingly when I first asked the club about this signed contract, they denied it ever existed or could not recall it happening. But it soon became clear – and that is when the crisis meetings began.”
According to SEN radio journalist Sam Edmund, the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) was “completely unaware” of the deal when they were informed about it last week
Concussion campaigner and player manager Peter Jess earlier said to the radio station: “My initial reaction is one of total disbelief how a public company can behave in this manner to its most valuable commodity, which is the players.
“It’s just unbelievable that they’re not thinking about making sure that these guys have got a safe workplace.
“If you try and contract out their basic human rights then what you do is create a position no better than modern day slavery.”
The AFL has not made any public comment.
Originally published as AFL club identified in head trauma contract agreement bombshell