MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

What We’ve Learned Following The Release Of Collingwood’s ‘Do Better’ Report Into Racism

What We’ve Learned Following The Release Of Collingwood’s ‘Do Better’ Report Into Racism

Former AFL Star Shaun Hampson 'Confronted' By Brutal Weight Loss After Appearing On Survivor Australia

Former AFL Star Shaun Hampson 'Confronted' By Brutal Weight Loss After Appearing On Survivor Australia

Scott Pendlebury Says Fatherhood Has Changed His Game For The Better

Scott Pendlebury Says Fatherhood Has Changed His Game For The Better

Three AFL Greats Share Their Tips On Leadership

Three AFL Greats Share Their Tips On Leadership

{headline}

{headline}

Here Are All The Best Looks From The AFLX Pre-Game Catwalk

Here Are All The Best Looks From The AFLX Pre-Game Catwalk

AFL Grand Final To Be Live-Streamed On Connected TVs For The First Time In History

AFL Grand Final To Be Live-Streamed On Connected TVs For The First Time In History

Adelaide Crows Star Eddie Betts Is Kicking Goals On And Off The Field

Adelaide Crows Star Eddie Betts Is Kicking Goals On And Off The Field

{headline}

{headline}

Here's Exactly What's Inside An AFL Legend's Go-To Shake

Here's Exactly What's Inside An AFL Legend's Go-To Shake

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

The Workout AFL's Jack Viney Is Using To Return From Injury

The Workout AFL's Jack Viney Is Using To Return From Injury

The Training Style That Is Shaping World Champions

The Training Style That Is Shaping World Champions

Buddy Franklin Starts 2018 With 8 Goals Against West Coast

Buddy Franklin Starts 2018 With 8 Goals Against West Coast

How Dustin Martin Became The AFL's Best Player

How Dustin Martin Became The AFL's Best Player

AFL's Nathan Jones Shares His Off-Season Fitness Tips

AFL's Nathan Jones Shares His Off-Season Fitness Tips

  1. Home
  2. Sport

Why The AFL’s Proposed Concussion Trust Marks A Watershed Moment In Aussie Sport

The plan would see players covered for any treatments and health issues in relation to head injuries. - by Jess Campbell
  • 17 Feb 2021
Why The AFL’s Proposed Concussion Trust Marks A Watershed Moment In Aussie Sport
Shutterstock

In October 2009, journalist Jeanne Marie Laskas published a story titled “Game Brain”. The title was seemingly innocent, but within the expose Laskas presented damning evidence on the NFL’s treatment of concussions and how the work of one Dr. Bennet Omalu shed light on the long-term effects of concussion. What Dr. Omalu found was that sustained head trauma can lead to dementia and for many players, when such issues presented in their retirement, they were left to face the consequences alone. 

In the years that have elapsed since Laskas’ groundbreaking story, athletes around the world have woken up to the impact of trauma experienced in sport on their health. From rugby union to the NFL, sporting codes have been quick to amend their stance on the management of concussion but even so, there remains a lot to be desired in terms of recognising the severity of such trauma and supporting players in their treatment of head injuries. 

Now, in what could be a watershed moment for the AFL, the sport is considering a proposal for the establishment of a multimillion-dollar fund to assist past, present and future players suffering from the long-term effects of concussion. 

Behind The Scenes With Three AFL Greats

Behind The Scenes With Three AFL Greats

AFL Officials Shut Down 2020 Season Due To COVID-19

AFL Officials Shut Down 2020 Season Due To COVID-19

According to reports by The Guardian, it’s believed the governing body has been presented with a blueprint for the creation of a landmark trust that would “represent a turning point in the way collision-based sports all over the world tackle head trauma.”

The proposal includes a $2 billion trust for the players’ benefit, of which the AFL would pay a minimum of $25 million a year over a period of 80 years. This trust would cover medical and rehabilitation costs, neurological support, as well as costs associated with independent or support living and income support, as well as compensation for permanent damage as assessed by appropriate independent neurological experts. 

Currently, discussions are only in their preliminary stage with parties involved yet to achieve a desired outcome. The proposal marks a significant moment, particularly for Australian sport. It also draws comparisons to the scheme implemented by America’s NFL whereby a concussion settlement involving thousands of lawsuits filed by former players was inflated to over $1 billion USD. Should the AFL proposal go ahead, the code would avoid a class action by a large group of ex-players, that include the likes of John Barnes, John Platten and Jack Frost. 

As neurophysiologist Dr Alan Pearce - Australia’s most authoritative concussion expert - explained to The Guardian, any implementation of the proposal would be “a significant step forward.” 

Dr Pearce told the publication, “Partly to acknowledge that concussion is a brain injury and the fact that repeated head trauma is an issue we need to accept - that these sports do carry some risk,” adding, “If that proposal came through it would be good recognition that this is something we need to be addressing, rather than pretending it doesn’t exist or downplaying its significance. It would also certainly advance the science of concussions, both short and long term.”

  • Health
  • Sport

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

What We’ve Learned Following The Release Of Collingwood’s ‘Do Better’ Report Into Racism

What We’ve Learned Following The Release Of Collingwood’s ‘Do Better’ Report Into Racism

Former AFL Star Shaun Hampson 'Confronted' By Brutal Weight Loss After Appearing On Survivor Australia

Former AFL Star Shaun Hampson 'Confronted' By Brutal Weight Loss After Appearing On Survivor Australia

Scott Pendlebury Says Fatherhood Has Changed His Game For The Better

Scott Pendlebury Says Fatherhood Has Changed His Game For The Better

Three AFL Greats Share Their Tips On Leadership

Three AFL Greats Share Their Tips On Leadership

{headline}

{headline}

Here Are All The Best Looks From The AFLX Pre-Game Catwalk

Here Are All The Best Looks From The AFLX Pre-Game Catwalk

AFL Grand Final To Be Live-Streamed On Connected TVs For The First Time In History

AFL Grand Final To Be Live-Streamed On Connected TVs For The First Time In History

Adelaide Crows Star Eddie Betts Is Kicking Goals On And Off The Field

Adelaide Crows Star Eddie Betts Is Kicking Goals On And Off The Field

{headline}

{headline}

Here's Exactly What's Inside An AFL Legend's Go-To Shake

Here's Exactly What's Inside An AFL Legend's Go-To Shake

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

The Workout AFL's Jack Viney Is Using To Return From Injury

The Workout AFL's Jack Viney Is Using To Return From Injury

The Training Style That Is Shaping World Champions

The Training Style That Is Shaping World Champions

Buddy Franklin Starts 2018 With 8 Goals Against West Coast

Buddy Franklin Starts 2018 With 8 Goals Against West Coast

How Dustin Martin Became The AFL's Best Player

How Dustin Martin Became The AFL's Best Player

AFL's Nathan Jones Shares His Off-Season Fitness Tips

AFL's Nathan Jones Shares His Off-Season Fitness Tips

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now