WorkSafe Victoria launches investigation into AFL over concussion protocols

WorkSafe Victoria has launched an investigation into the Australian Football League’s (AFL) concussion protocols, following revelations of concerns over player safety and a surge in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) diagnoses among former players. The probe, announced amid scrutiny of the sport’s handling of head injuries, focuses on whether the AFL has adequately protected athletes from repeated brain trauma during training sessions. The inquiry comes days after the death of 27-year-old suburban footballer Nathan Fitzgerald, whose catastrophic head injuries during a local match have intensified calls for systemic reforms.

The investigation’s scope includes the AFL’s approach to contact training and collision load-tracking, with a focus on practices from late 2022 onward. A spokesperson for WorkSafe Victoria confirmed the probe, citing a request related to alleged breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The inquiry will not examine in-game incidents but will scrutinize how the league manages head impacts during practice, a move that aligns with growing concerns about long-term neurological risks. This follows a 2022 WorkSafe review of the AFL’s concussion protocols, which found no evidence of wrongdoing at the time.

The renewed scrutiny is fueled by a Four Corners investigation revealing 33 former AFL players diagnosed with CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. Of these, 19 were professional or semi-professional, and 19 had committed suicide. The number represents a stark increase from the five known CTE cases among AFL players prior to the investigation. Neurologists and former players have criticized the AFL’s 12-day return-to-play policy for concussions, citing research that shows brain disturbances can persist for up to 28 days. One of the league’s leading concussion experts, Paul McCrory, resigned in 2021 over the policy’s perceived inadequacies.

The tragedy of Nathan Fitzgerald has further amplified pressure on the AFL to address safety gaps. Fitzgerald, a 27-year-old Epping footballer, died after sustaining life-threatening head injuries during a local match at Lalor Recreation Reserve. His head struck a cricket pitch covered by a “shock-absorbing” synthetic mat over a concrete slab. The City of Whittlesea, which manages the venue, stated it adheres to safety regulations but has pledged to support a review if the pitch’s design contributed to the injuries. Advocates for player safety, including former manager Peter Jess, have called for annual inspections of playing surfaces at all levels of the sport, arguing that community leagues face lower standards than elite competitions.

The AFL has not publicly addressed the investigation, though it has faced criticism for its handling of brain injury risks. Former Victorian Coroner John Cain has advocated for stricter limits on contact during training, while grief-stricken friends of deceased players have demanded accountability. A letter from a friend of late West Coast player Adam Hunter, who died of CTE in 2023, urged the AFL to prioritize player welfare over “the scoreboard.” Similar calls have been echoed by parents and volunteers, who highlight the disparity between elite and grassroots sports in terms of safety measures.

The current investigation coincides with a broader reckoning over the long-term health impacts of contact sports. Monash University neurologist Terence O’Brien, who studied Fitzgerald’s case, noted that the player’s injuries were “extremely rare” but underscored the risks of hard surfaces like cricket pitches in Australian Rules football. He emphasized the need to avoid such environments, even as research into brain injuries remains limited. Meanwhile, debates over helmet effectiveness persist, with experts like O’Brien acknowledging that while helmets may reduce skull fractures, they offer little protection against concussions or CTE.

As WorkSafe Victoria prepares to release updates on the inquiry by July 28, the AFL faces renewed pressure to overhaul its approach to player safety. The investigation’s findings could reshape protocols for training, medical care, and venue standards, potentially influencing policies across all levels of the sport. For now, the legacy of players like Fitzgerald and the growing toll of CTE serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for reform.