Eight more ex-players join class action led by Max Rooke
Eight new players have joined former Geelong star Max Rooke’s multimillion-dollar concussion class action against the AFL, claiming their lives have been affected by serious head impacts.
Margalit Injury Lawyers filed a new writ in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday naming the AFL and 10 other clubs as defendants.
Players are alleged to have suffered permanent, life-changing injuries as a result of concussion and the negligence of the AFL and clubs.
Michel Margalit, managing director of Margalit Disability Lawyers, said he had written to each of the clubs involved to inform them that they had been named as defendants in the new letter.
Former players named as plaintiffs in the document are ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick (Hawthorn and Melbourne 2010-2015), midfielder Nick Stevens (Port Adelaide and Carlton 1998-2009), midfielder Gary Frangalas (Richmond 1986-1989), defender Michael Richardson (Collingwood and Essendon 1983-1986), forward Ian. Fairley (North Melbourne 1983-1996), Rod MacPherson (Footscray 1982-1986), Dylan Roberton (Fremantle 2010-2012) and Brendan Littler (St Kilda 1986).
“I feel I have an obligation to support and represent players who, like me, have suffered concussion-related effects as a result of their AFL careers,” Fitzpatrick said.
Eight new names will join Rooke as lead plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit.
More than 100 former players have now come forward to join the class action.
“The medical evidence is tragically clear that players sustained concussions while playing Australian rules, and these concussions caused them serious, lifelong physical and psychological harm and had a devastating impact on their lives and the lives of their loved ones,” Margalit said.
“They dedicated their lives to the game. Years later, their football careers are a distant memory and they find themselves injured and without the means to care for these injuries. It’s heartbreaking and they need to be adequately taken care of.”
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
More to come.
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Jon Pierik is a sports reporter for The Age. He covers the AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect with: X or email.
