[Andrew Gigacz]

Recent years have seen the effects of concussion in contact sports become a bigger focus for professional leagues, and rightly so. Rules have been modified in both rugby league and Australian rules football to reduce the risk of head knocks and other actions that could result in concussion.

That will go a long way to protecting current and future players, but it’s a different story for footballers of the path. Former Western Bulldogs premiership player Liam Picken is currently involved in legal action taken against the AFL, his former club and even his former club doctors as he seeks compensation for ongoing ramifications for multiple concussions sustained during his career.

And last year Rugby League legend Wally Lewis was diagnosed with “probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy”, a brain disorder likely caused by repeated head injuries which can only be officially diagnosed after death.

The stories of Picken, Lewis and several other former stars of the AFL and NRL are deservedly getting widespread media coverage.

But the stories of their ongoing trauma are surely being repeated across Australia, thousands of times over for former footballers from lower levels. These footballers may not have had the skills and exposure of their top-level counterparts, but they were subjected to the same head knocks, perhaps worse, if the anecdotes of some suburban and country leagues are to be believed.

How many cases are out there of lower-level players who have not received the same level of media attention as former NRL and AFL players, and therefore might not be aware of the cause of some of their later-life traumas?

For those who may be diagnosed with conditions related to concussions sustained in their playing days, what support is available? And will their treatment be covered by private health insurance.

Perhaps it time to pay closer attention to those who are bearing these consequences out of the spotlight.

Did suffer concussion playing football or another contact sport when you were younger? Have you suspected you might have ongoing health issues as a result?

[Gerry]

So glad you have raised this subject – ever since the issue of CTE has come into the public realm, I have often wondered about all the suburban, amateur and country footballers out there who have suffered multiple concussions and the fact that their potential problems receive no publicity or traction – the only cases that receive any media attention are the former players of the almighty VFL/AFL. While their issues are no doubt real ( we have Shane Tuck, Danny Frawley and Polly Farmer to remind us) and they have the financial resources to seek compensation through the courts, what will happen to the players outside the elite level? What about those who have already succumbed to their demons and ended it? Perhaps a wider class action may follow, interesting times ahead ….

[Author]

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