Former Adelaide Crows players considering class action lawsuit over notorious 2018 training camp

One of Adelaide’s most high-profile lawyers says he’s considering a possible class action against the Crows over the 2018 training camp after being contacted by players.

Adelaide lawyer Greg Griffin is talking to at least seven Adelaide players who were part of the club’s notorious 2018 pre-season camp about launching a class action against both the Crows and the AFL.

Mr Griffin would not be specific with how many players he was advising, or whether there were current players among the group, but said any possible legal action was “not a matter that should be delayed’’.

“A class action requires seven and it’s over that number,’’ he said.

The high-profile lawyer said players had made contact after revelations this week in a new book by former Adelaide star player Eddie Betts, who has spoken of the psychological trauma he experienced on the camp, which was held on the Gold Coast early in 2018.

Lawyer Greg Griffin is advising several former Crows players about a class action against the AFL and their old club. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

“I’m getting a significant amount of calls from former players,’’ Mr Griffin said.

“They all knew about Eddie, they all knew what happened at the camp. Now they’re actually saying that people are recognising that this thing was never, never kosher and never properly dealt with.

“I’m giving just basically giving a raft of advice to players as to what their rights are in respect of what happened on that camp. Because a lot of careers came to an end and even players just actually stopped playing.’’

The AFL and SafeWork SA investigated the conduct of the camp, and both cleared the Crows of any breach of the rules, but Mr Griffin said both investigations were worthless.

The AFL owns the Adelaide Crows and has the power of veto over all but two members of the 10-person board.

“This was another example of the AFL marking its own homework and giving itself an A-plus and everyone wearing it,’’ he said.

Mr Griffin also called for SafeWork SA to outline exactly what it investigated as well as the final report.

Former Adelaide Crows star Eddie Betts in Port Lincoln. Picture: Matt Turner

“What we’re entitled to see, what the public is entitled to see is what were they asked to investigate,’’ he said.

“Was it just whether people were climbing up mountains wearing the proper gear? Or did the scope of the inquiry extend to psychological processes that the players are subjected to, which has caused so much damage.

“The report’s not worth a crushed carnation until I see the report, until I see the scope of the report because, you know, he who commissions the report, controls the outcome.’’

In a statement, SafeWork SA said it was restricted by confidentiality provisions in legislation “from disclosing any information obtained in the course of exercising its statutory powers and prevents specific detail from the inquiry being released’’.