AFL clubs with stars on long-term deals left exposed after shock verdict on concussion payouts

Clubs with stars on long-term contracts like Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Carlton have been left exposed after the AFL’s shock verdict on concussion payouts. JON RALPH has more.

AFL clubs will be dangerously exposed to the threat of star players with long-term deals retiring through concussion after the league made a hard-line ruling on salary exemptions.

If a player retires after a series of head knocks only the next three seasons of their deal will be exempt from the salary cap and even then on a diminishing scale.

There will be maximum thresholds for the money exempted from a club’s salary cap – 90 per cent in the first year, then 75 per cent and then 50 per cent.

Only players who are medically retired by the AFL can have a portion of their salary exempt from the cap, not players who decide they can no longer accept the risk but have not been ruled as “medically retired”.

It means the more than 25 players who have contracts to 2029 or onwards will not have all of their salaries exempt if they medically retire.

The salaries of star players on huge contracts won’t be covered for a number of seasons if they are forced to medically retire. Picture: Getty Images

Aaron Naughton and Connor Rozee are contracted to 2032, Nick Blakey is contracted to 2031 and a long list of players are contracted to 2030 including Harry McKay, Josh Daicos, Brennan Cox and Clayton Oliver.

Melbourne had been confident of securing full relief for Angus Brayshaw’s contract of up to $700,000 a season.

But under the new deal the Demons will receive no relief for the last year of his deal in 2028, only 50 per cent for 2027, and only 75 per cent for 2026.

They will receive 90 per cent relief for the 2025 season.

Angus Brayshaw was forced to retire with concussion. Picture: Getty Images

“No relief will generally be provided with regards to TPP (total player payments) commitments that extend four years or longer following the year of retirement. Clubs should ensure that this is appropriately factored into the risk assessment processes undertaken for player contracts that extend over four years,” the AFL said in a statement to clubs.

“The guidelines are only applicable in the specific circumstance of retirement occurring subject to a recommendation being made by the AFL concussion panel. Retirements due to other injuries, or decisions made unilaterally by the player or the club, will be subject to existing TPP assessment rules.

“The guidelines do not provide a guarantee of TPP relief being provided with regards to any specific concussion-related retirement event.”

The Western Bulldogs might now have more caution about whether to sign up Tim English to a long term deal given he has had battles with migraines and concussions.

The league made clear it had total discretion to rule on salary cap exemptions in all cases.

“The provision of TPP relief is at the complete discretion of the concussion TPP committee with consideration given to the terms of the relevant contract and the circumstances of each eligible retirement, and subject to the maximum thresholds approved.”

Collingwood will now have 90 per cent of Nathan Murphy’s contract exempted under the salary cap next year, while Aiden O’Driscoll’s base payment deal at the Dogs will also be exempted after he was medically retired by an AFL panel.

Originally published as AFL clubs with stars on long-term deals left exposed after shock verdict on concussion payouts