AFL, Cats move to declass Rooke spearheaded head knock suit

The Geelong Cats have made a move to break up a billion-dollar class action lawsuit spearheaded by a much-loved ex-player.

Ex-Cats player Max Rooke.

The Geelong Football Club have teamed up with the AFL to break up a billion-dollar class action lawsuit spearheaded by a much-loved ex-player.

The Cats, along with the AFL, have applied to have the case “declassed” in the Supreme Court, according to a report in the Australian.

This means the court may deem the case may no longer proceed as a class action, and instead it would be managed as individual cases.

It was first reported the suit would go ahead in February 2023, with Cats premiership player Max Rooke named as its lead plaintiff.

Melbourne firm Margalit Injury Lawyers have filed the suit on behalf of all professional AFL players who suffered concussion related injuries through head strikes while training or playing AFL between 1985 and March 14, 2023.

Max Rooke gets carried off after copping a knock to the head.

The suit now involves 90 former players with brain injuries, seeking compensation for pain and suffering, economic loss and medical expenses.

Margalit Lawyers managing principal Michel Margalit confirmed the law firm had “confidentially” updated its clients on the move by the AFL and Geelong but could not expand on the matter.

“As was communicated to the group members, the AFL and Geelong Football Club have made applications to the court that the class action be ‘declassed’,” he said.

“The declassing applications are currently before the court, therefore it is inappropriate to comment on them at this time.

“The players await the decision of the court.

“Margalit Injury Lawyers remains committed to supporting AFL players who have suffered permanent injuries as a result of con­cussions sustained during their playing careers.”

It is alleged Rooke, 41, suffered permanent, life-altering injuries as a result of concussion related incidents, and due to the negligence of the AFL.

Rooke played 135 games for the Cats and was considered crucial to their 2007 and 2009 premiership wins before announcing his premature retirement in 2010, citing an acute knee injury.

The Cats and the AFL were contacted for comment.

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Originally published as AFL, Cats move to declass Rooke spearheaded head knock suit