Griffins Lawyers supports the call for stronger action by sporting bodies in managing concussion and head trauma in sport.

Agent calls for action on knocks

Sarah Booth – Herald Sun

Player agent and concussion advocate Peter Jess says 17 AFL players have suffered three or more concussions since 2020, as he calls for stronger action.

Jess, who has been working with lawyer Greg Griffin on a class action against the AFL, released the figures at a summit on Friday, held by Community Concussion Research Foundation.

The CCRF founder said the figures – which the Herald Sun has not been able to independently verify – were from the AFL and cross-matched against club medical records.

He said there were 37 concussions in 2020, 103 in 2021, and 118 last season.

As of last round, there were 95 this year.

“If we don’t get serious about this, we’ll create the next generation and a generation after that of brain damage,” he said.

The summit was attended by several past players – including those taking part in the class action against the AFL.

It was also attended by mother Wendy Smith.

Her son Antonio Loiacono, 20, was knocked in the head and went into cardiac arrest while playing local football in South Australia earlier this year.

She said he had suffered a concussion the season prior and “used to have a series of really bad headaches”.

“His cause of death is still being investigated by the coroner, but I know he had a concussion three weeks prior,” she said.

Former AFL player Shaun Smith, who is part of the class action, told the summit he was knocked out about 14 times during his career.

He said his ongoing injuries hadn’t just impacted him, but his family.

“The AFL aren’t listening, when you have to sue someone to get help,” he said.

He said while the league had made changes since his playing days, they still needed to do more to protect current players.

The AFL was contacted for comment.

Herald Sun – Saturday July 15, 2023