‘Adverse findings’ found in AFL concussion review delay Tuck inquest

An independent report commissioned by the AFL into its former concussion adviser Paul McCrory has identified possible adverse findings involving two people, delaying a possible inquest into the death of former Richmond footballer Shane Tuck.

Tuck took his own life in 2020 before being posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of brain degeneration probably caused by repeated head traumas.

Shane Tuck is hunted down by Sam Mitchell.Credit: Joe Armao

He had played 173 games with Richmond from 2004-13 and had a brief boxing career after he retired.

The independent review, being compiled by Bernard Quinn, KC, was due to have been submitted to the Coroner’s Court of Victoria ahead of Friday.

But Ben Ihle, KC, acting for the AFL, said the author of the report was now awaiting responses from the two people after potentially “adverse findings” relating to them were found.

What those adverse findings are or who they relate two were not aired in court, but Ihle said he expected the report would be finalised and provided to the coroner within the next fortnight.

The AFL will launch a review of the work, research and advice provided to it by Associate Professor Paul McCrory. Credit: Jo Gay

Counsel assisting the coroner Gideon Boas said the report was expected to examine matters including the medical advice and treatment players may have received and what guidelines and protocols were in place.

“This coronial investigation has been somewhat on hold awaiting the outcome of a review that the AFL commissioned into ... research and medical work connected with the AFL’s Associate Professor Paul McCrory,” Boas said.

“This investigation concerns the role of a person who was very significantly involved in the AFL’s approach to concussion over a lengthy period of time.”

State Coroner John Cain, who is overseeing the Tuck case, will also await the outcomes of an international concussion conference, to be held in Amsterdam at the end of the month, before processing the former footballer’s matter further.

Boas said there had been “some movement in the science” around concussion in sport and CTE in the past two years since the conference last met before the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s possible the outcomes of that conference could impact the Tuck proceedings and any recommendations the coroner makes.

It’s unclear yet if a full public inquest will be held, but two weeks have been set aside early next year.

The late Shane Tuck, who died at the age of 38.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo

Members of the Tuck family watched the hearing online on Friday alongside representatives from Monash Health and the South Australian boxing and combat sports board.

In court were lawyers representing widow Katherine Tuck, the AFL Players Association and Victorian professional boxing and combat sports board.

The Australian Sports Brain Bank diagnosed Tuck with CTE. The former Tiger is now one of four former footballers to be diagnosed with CTE after their deaths. Graham “Polly” Farmer, Danny Frawley and Murray Weideman are the other three players.

In 2021, a neuropathologist at the Australian Sports Brain Bank said Tuck had the most severe case of CTE they had ever seen. It can only be diagnosed after death.

Cain said he planned to focus on possible preventative opportunities around concussions in sport when making any future findings.

The coronial inquiry is ongoing.

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