Former Richmond hardman Ty Zantuck seeking damages for debilitating back injury

Former Tiger Ty Zantuck has endured 17 operations on his spine since retiring from the AFL but his damages claim has been hampered by a “laughable” rule that has “sold him down the river”.

A damages claim launched by former Richmond hardman Ty Zantuck over a spree of painkilling jabs has been hampered by the absence of medical records.

The Tigers have told Zantuck’s legal team they are not in possession of any records relating to treatments on players prior to the 2004 season.

Zantuck, 36, alleges he was injected with painkillers and epidurals up to 50 times over three seasons under the care of ex-Richmond doctor Chris Bradshaw in a bid to overcome a debilitating back injury between 2001-03.

ZANTUCK: PAINKILLING JABS RUINED MY BACK

SUPERCOACH: TEAM PICKER IS NOW OPEN!

2019: HOW MANY GAMES WILL EACH TEAM WIN?

He has endured 17 operations on his spine since retiring from the AFL 12 years ago, can no longer work and is battling permanent pain and depression.

Former AFL player Ty ZantucK with his kids Jagger and Zepplin. Pic: Wayne Taylor

Zantuck’s back constantly troubles him.

The Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre, where Zantuck was sometimes treated, has told lawyers its records for the 77-game defender were lawfully disposed after seven years.

The AFL Players’ Association said clubs were only obligated to keep records for seven years, in line with legislation.

Zantuck’s lawyer, Greg Griffin, said the seven-year rule was “extraordinary”.

“Everyone in international sport knows that long-term injuries are most likely to appear between 10 and 20 years after retirement,” Griffin said.

“It’s laughable and an indictment on the AFL that they have allowed clubs to have virtually no medical records and histories of players.

Zantuck (r) with Greg Stafford in 2002.

“It sits there and says it is the beacon of governance and the beacon of how to run a sport, but they’ve sold the players down the river.

“Ty Zantuck has been sold down the river. No ifs, no buts.

“There really should be a government inquiry into the medical treatment that was dished out by these clubs in the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.”

Griffin is also leading a looming Federal Court concussion case involving up to 70 ex-players against the AFL and clubs where club medical records will be sought.

Bradshaw, who has since worked at Geelong and Collingwood, had his medical licence suspended over an unrelated matter in October 2017 while employed at the Magpies.

Zantuck played for Essendon after finishing at the Tigers.

Zantuck, who played 68 games for Richmond and another nine at Essendon in 2005, has warned the AFL’s next generation of players to steer clear of painkilling injections at all costs.

“I’ve laid in hospital for weeks at a time on ketamine and morphine drips and that can just drain the life out of you,” the father of two told the Herald Sun in March.

An AFLPA spokesman said: “We are not involved with Ty’s claim but continue to offer him support available to all past players through our alumni program.”