Eight Former AFL Players Join Landmark Concussion Class Action Against League and Clubs
Eight former Australian Football League players have become lead plaintiffs in a significant class action lawsuit against the AFL and ten clubs, alleging they were negligently exposed to concussion-related injuries during their careers. This legal move follows ex-Geelong player Max Rooke, who has been spearheading a similar case against the AFL and his former club since 2023.
Key Plaintiffs and Defendants in the Lawsuit
The new writ, filed in the Victorian Supreme Court, names North Melbourne premiership player Ian Fairley as one of the lead plaintiffs. Other notable former players include ex-Carlton vice-captain Nick Stevens and Michael Richardson, who played 302 games for Collingwood and Essendon. The defendants listed in the lawsuit are St Kilda, Melbourne, Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon, North Melbourne, Footscray, Carlton, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, and the AFL itself.
Court documents assert that these former players sustained permanent and life-altering injuries due to concussions suffered while playing in the league. The plaintiffs argue that the clubs and the AFL failed to exercise reasonable care to protect them from the risk of such long-term concussion-related harm. As a result, they are seeking damages for losses attributed to this alleged negligence.
Legal Support and Broader Implications
Michel Margalit, managing principal of Margalit Injury Lawyers, praised the players for their courage in joining the lawsuit, describing it as a brave show of support for Rooke. She revealed that over 100 former players have come forward to participate in the broader class action, with ongoing investigations into other AFL clubs not yet named in the legal proceedings.
In a statement, Margalit emphasized the medical evidence, stating, The medical evidence is tragically clear. The players' concussion occurred while playing Aussie Rules and those concussions have gone on to cause them serious, lifelong physical and psychological harm. Years later, their footy career is a distant memory and they find themselves injured and without the means to care for those injuries. It's heart-breaking and they need to be adequately cared for.
AFL Response and Legal Proceedings
The AFL has been approached for comment on the allegations. At a recent Supreme Court hearing, it was confirmed that the AFL and Geelong are continuing to contest the claims in the Rooke-led class action. The parties are currently in the early stages of document disclosure, with Justice Andrew Keogh indicating that a trial could potentially commence in late May 2027.
Trial dates are expected to be finalized in April, and the case is scheduled to return to court for a case management hearing next week. This legal battle highlights growing concerns over concussion management in professional sports and could set a precedent for future cases involving athlete safety and liability.
