AFLPA responds after report says player signed concussion deal with club

The Australian Football League (AFL) has decided not to sanction Geelong for entering into a unique agreement with an active player who has a history of concussions. The player, who is still competing in the AFL, was required to assume full legal responsibility for any future brain trauma resulting from the deal. The AFL concluded that the case was both complex and unique, leading to their decision not to penalise Geelong.

The agreement, revealed by News Corp newspaper on Thursday morning, was signed by the undisclosed player two years ago and aimed to protect the club and its medical staff from any future court actions. Geelong emphasized that the waiver in the agreement would be removed, acknowledging the player's ongoing awareness of the associated risks.

The AFL and AFL Players Association (AFLPA) have stated that they will now require clubs to notify and obtain approval from both organizations if they propose any arrangements that affect a player's legal rights and protections. Geelong's CEO, Steve Hocking, stated that the club's primary focus was on providing care and support to the player, with the ultimate goal of giving the player agency in decisions concerning their career.

The incident has sparked criticism from concussion campaigner Peter Jess, who called for those involved in drafting the contract to step down, arguing that the contract prioritized the club's interests over the player's welfare. Special counsel Daniel Schram expressed concerns about the player's vulnerability due to repeated brain trauma and questioned the legality of the agreement, emphasizing that statutory rights of players cannot be contracted out of.