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AFL Club Had Secret Concussion Deal with Player: Report
The agreement reportedly made the player accept future concussion risk as the AFL prepares to investigate the club.
- On Thursday, News Corp reported a Victorian AFL club signed a deal two years ago forcing an active player to assume all legal responsibility for future concussion-related brain trauma.
- Seeking to exonerate itself and its medical staff from future court action, the club required the player to "take upon yourself the physical and legal risk" arising from future concussions.
- AFL Players Association boss James Gallagher warned, "Clubs cannot unilaterally contract out of their obligations under the CBA and Standard Playing Contract, nor attempt to avoid their responsibilities under health and safety laws." Campaigner Peter Jess called the deal a breach of basic safety nets.
- In response to the deal, the AFL is set to investigate the alleged agreement, with Gallagher confirming the union is in discussions with the league to prevent further occurrences at the elite level.
- The concussion crisis extends beyond this deal: former Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw, champion West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern, and premiership Magpie Nathan Murphy were forced into retirement due to repeated head trauma, while a multimillion dollar class action case against the AFL in the Supreme Court is set to go to trial next year.
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A secret waiver but no punishment: the AFL’s concussion conundrum just got murkier
Just when you thought the Australian Football League’s (AFL) management of concussion could not get murkier, news arrived yesterday the Geelong Football Club required a player with a history of concussions to sign a letter waiving their legal rights with respect to any future brain trauma. It was reported the Cats had a secret arrangement with a player who signed the agreement in a bid to clear the club and its medical staff from future court ac…
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 22%
R 21%
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