WorkSafe Victoria launches investigation into alleged AFL concussion failings

WorkSafe Victoria has launched an investigation into alleged concussion failings within the Australian Football League (AFL), focusing on the league's safeguarding of players against repeated head impacts. The inquiry stems from concerns about player safety and the handling of potential brain injuries during training and matches.

The investigation is reportedly scrutinizing the AFL's practices regarding contact training and the tracking of player collision loads, particularly from late 2022 onward. This development comes in the wake of a recent report by ABC's Four Corners, which highlighted that 33 former Australian rules players, including professionals and semi-professionals, have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.

Prior to the Four Corners investigation, only five known CTE diagnoses had been recorded among professional AFL players. The disease can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously. The current WorkSafe Victoria investigation will examine whether the league adequately protected players from the cumulative effects of head impacts throughout their careers.

It is noted that WorkSafe Victoria previously concluded an investigation into the AFL's management of sports-related concussion risks in December 2022, at which time no identifiable offense by the league was found. The details of this new investigation suggest a renewed focus on player welfare and the long-term consequences of head injuries in Australian rules football.

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WorkSafe Victoria has received a request relating to an alleged contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and is investigating the matters raised.