AFL faces insurance dilemma after Geelong concussion waiver controversy
A Geelong player’s concussion waiver sparked a $140,000 fine for the club and highlighted a looming insurance shortfall for AFL athletes.
An investigation into Geelong’s handling of Jake Kolodjashnij’s concussion waiver concluded the club did not violate legal duties, yet the AFL imposed a $140,000 penalty for contract alterations and non-submission. The waiver transferred any future concussion risk to the player, a move the league now vows to block, requiring approval from the AFL Players Association for any similar arrangement. Zurich Insurance has stopped paying total-and-permanent disability benefits for traumatic brain injuries, stripping the AFLPA’s superannuation fund of that coverage.
Players now depend on a $54 million Injury and Support Fund, which includes benefits up to $600,000 for severe injuries. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and AFLPA chief James Gallagher emphasized the need for a new safety net, with a joint review slated to address insurance gaps and concussion protocols before the next season.
Why it matters
The case exposes a critical gap in health insurance for AFL players facing long-term brain injury risks.
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