AFL to propose new payment relief system for players retiring after repeated concussions

Past players anxiously await the details of how the league will compensate them under a new concussion fund, with the league putting aside cash to help those who have been forced to retire due to head knocks.

Max Lynch of the Hawks leaves the field in 2022. He retired due to concussion in 2023. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

The AFL has set aside over $50 million for players suffering the effects of concussions and football-related injuries, as past players anxiously await the details of how the league will compensate them under a new concussion fund.

The league has more than doubled its funding for the injury hardship fund in the new collective bargaining agreement – $54 million over five seasons – compared to $24 million across the previous six-year term from 2017-2022.

The injury and hardship fund has – in the past – allowed players who leave the game with career-ending injuries one-off payments and provided lifetime healthcare for all players, including up to $8000 for joint operations related to football. But the AFL is proposing to expand the hardship fund to include players who have had their careers ended by concussion.

As generations of players battle the fallout from head knocks and repeat concussions, the league is hoping to unveil details of that fund by mid year.

Max Lynch of the Hawks leaves the field in 2022. He retired due to concussion in 2023. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

Former Western Bulldogs player Nigel Kellett, who revealed his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) symptoms to chief football writer Mark Robinson, is one of many players who have cases pending.

Past players fear they may be excluded from that compensation if they do not fit strict criteria – and are also worried that the fund will not be enough to help all players who need it.

The new hardship funding from the AFL allocated $8.215m to players in 2023, and will increase to $9.5m in 2027.

AFLPA member programs and services general manager Ben Smith said on Friday the union was hopeful that the increased funding would help ease players’ suffering “long-term hardship and welfare issues”.

“The AFL Players’ Association considers the health and wellbeing of former AFL and AFLW players a significant priority, and it’s vital that the industry comes together to support (them),” Smith said.

“As part of the 2023-2027 collective bargaining agreement, the AFLPA has secured a substantial financial investment increase in the injury and hardship fund, with the aim of expanding and increasing the payments and benefits available to eligible (players).

“An investment of $54.2m over five years has been committed to the fund under the new CBA, up from $25m, to ensure that more players, including those suffering from the long-term impacts of concussion, are able to access more funding to support them post-career.

“The AFLPA and AFL are working together to establish this expanded support, with further information to be provided in 2024.“

Originally published as AFL to propose new payment relief system for players retiring after repeated concussions