Western Bulldogs forced to pay $3m to child abuse victim

Western Bulldogs had a High Court appeal rejected, forcing the AFL club to pay a child abuse victim almost $3 million.

Adam Kneale, right, sued Footscray Football Club, now the Bulldogs, after he suffered years of abuse from the age of 11 at the hands of star fundraising volunteer Graeme Hobbs. He is pictured here with his lawyer Michael Magazanik. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Western Bulldogs will be forced to pay a child abuse victim almost $3 million including his legal bills after the High Court rejected its appeal.

A note on the High Court website has confirmed that the Footscray Football Club, its former trading name, lost its right to challenge the payout awarded to Adam Kneale.

Mr Kneale had won $5.9 million after his claim was confirmed in Victoria’s Supreme Court.

That figure was reduced to $2.6 million after an appeal.

The Bulldogs then appealed to the High Court but that was rejected on Thursday.

Mr Kneale had claimed he was abused by Bulldogs volunteer Graeme Hobbs, a now-dead convicted pedophile, who was known as “Chops” at the club.

A Victorian jury found in favour of Mr Kneale in 2023 and he was awarded a record payout.

The Western Bulldogs will be forced to pay a child abuse victim Adam Kneale almost $3 million including his legal bills after the High Court rejected its appeal. Picture: Josie Hayden

The club had successfully halved Mr Kneale’s payout but had gone to the High Court to attempt to reduce it further.

The court announced its decision this week, denying the club’s application for an appeal.

Mr Kneale’s lawyer Michael Magazanik, a partner at Rightside Legal, said his client is relieved his legal ordeal was over.

“Finally Adam can look forward to living without the legal claim hanging over his head. He is proud of having fought so hard and for so long and hopes that he has given encouragement to other survivors,” he said.

Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains, pictured here leaving the Victorian Supreme Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Kneale, who is in his 50s, was believed to be the first person to sue an AFL club over sexual abuse.

His abuser was a prominent volunteer at the Bulldogs.

Mr Kneale was only 11 years old when the abuse began and continued for six years between 1984 and 1990.

He detailed the abuse in a 5500 word statement to police which resulted in Hobbs being convicted.

A court heard Hobbs had groomed young boys for abuse by offering them free season tickets to the football and cash inducement.

The former chairman of fundraising was an influential figure at the club.

Western Bulldogs’ new logo. Picture: Michael Klein

Police found 39 Bulldogs memberships when they raided his home in 1993, which they claimed he was using to befriend young boys at the club.

Mr Kneale had waived his right to anonymity to be named in this story.

Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains has previously said he was “shocked and dismayed” about the abuse Mr Kneale had suffered while at the club.

Some of the abuse happened in the club’s grandstand at Whitten Oval while games were being played.

Comment was sought from the Western Bulldogs.

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Originally published as Western Bulldogs forced to pay $3m to child abuse victim