AFL club removes concussion waiver after widespread outrage
Geelong has removed a contract waiver that made a player personally responsible for any concussion-related injuries suffered in the future.
Reports surfaced on Thursday that after the player suffered concussions early in their career, but wanted to continue playing, signed an extension with the Cats.
AFL headquarters in Melbourne. Getty
The AFL Players’ Association denied any knowledge of the secret contract, but have now released a joint statement with the league explaining the situation.
“The AFL and AFLPA are aware of a complex and unique case in which a Geelong player was cleared as fit to play following an assessment by an AFL concussion panel,” the statement read on Thursday night said. “The player then signed a letter acknowledging the potential risk and sought to waive some potential future legal rights, which was not lodged with or approved by the AFL or the AFLPA. Geelong has advised the AFL today that the waiver in the letter will be removed, noting that the player continues to acknowledge potential risks.
“The AFL is satisfied that the letter was not used by Geelong to allow a medically unfit player to return to play. The AFL and AFLPA will advise clubs that any proposed arrangements that impact on a player’s legal rights and protections will be required to be notified to and approved by the AFL and the AFLPA. The AFL and AFLPA are aligned that no arrangements will be approved that seek to solely place the risk on players.”
Geelong released their own statement shortly after to confirm the removal of the waiver and stating the contract was done with the aim of “providing care and support to the player” while navigating their AFL future.
“Geelong acknowledges that the letter signed with one of its players went further than was intended and recognises the absence of the AFLPA in the process. The club will remove the waiver outlined in the letter, noting that the player continues to acknowledge potential risks,” the statement said.
“At the time, the club was involved in extensive discussions with a player, their family and representative in relation to that player’s concussion history.
“Those discussions, including medical advice from the club’s chief medical officer and the AFL concussion panel, were documented in the letter, signed by the player. No direction was given requiring the player to medically retire.
“The club was not attempting to vary the terms of the AFL standard playing contract, or attempting to avoid its responsibilities under health and safety laws.
“The club’s focus throughout the process was providing care and support to the player, with the intention to give the player agency in the decision-making process around their own playing career.”
At this stage, the player’s identity remains unknown.
It comes as the AFL struggles to find insurance cover for players who suffered career-ending injuries from concussion.
Zurich, who offered the cover for many years, pulled out of doing so in 2026.
The Age’s chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal was scathing in his assessment of the AFL’s handling of player welfare.
Geelong have copped heavy scrutiny. Getty Images
“The AFL is excellent at coming out on social causes when it doesn’t need to spend much money, we’ve seen a lot of this over the years on various progressive social causes, but when it comes to looking after its players, there’s a big question as to whether it is taking concussion seriously enough,” Sakkal told Nine’s Today.
Long-time concussion advocate Peter Jess stated he was stunned to learn that such a contract existed in the league.
“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,” Jess told SEN.
“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.
“It’s about safety first, safety second and safety third.”
Sydney coach Dean Cox was also asked about the revelation on Thursday.
“I can only speak on behalf of our club, but concussion is a very serious issue,” Cox told SEN on Thursday morning.
“We understand that we’ve had players that have had their careers finished through concussion and the importance of the wellbeing of the player.
“I understand that there is always a risk when you do step on the football field, but our job is to make sure that we try and mitigate that with technique and things you need to control it as much as you can.
“It’s going to get to an interesting stage now where the legality and liability and where that lies. It was an interesting read.”
Numerous AFL players have retired in recent years due to concussion-related injuries, including West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern, Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw and Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy.
