AFL concussion lawsuit gains backing

A CONCUSSION damages action against the AFL is set to be bankrolled by thirdparty litigation funders.

Lead lawyer Greg Griffin confirmed yesterday private backers were considering funding a proposed multimillion-dollar Federal Court stoush involving up to 100 former players.

Litigation funders carry the burden of an adverse finding but are entitled to about 30 per cent of damages awarded to plaintiffs.

“It’s looking positive, but it’s an ongoing process,” Mr Griffin said. “Once that’s in place then we can get on with it. We’re working towards filing documents within six months.”

The claim — based on a successful damages action mounted by NFL players in the US — will involve five lead plaintiffs and multiple past AFL players battling neurological impairments linked to head knocks.

Hawthorn Brownlow winner and concussion casualty John Platten, former Essendon and Geelong ruckman John Barnes and retired Melbourne and North Melbourne high-flyer Shaun Smith have already committed as plaintiffs.

Asked how many other players would join the case, Mr Griffin said: “It’s between 80 and 100, but quite frankly that’s conservative.”

Smith’s post-career life has been cruelled by brain lesions, depression and memory loss. Barnes suffers epilepsy, memory loss and mood swings, while Platten fears he is experiencing the early effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

US expert Chris Nowinski last year accused AFL affiliated doctors questioning the link between head knocks and mental health of using “the same lines we heard from big tobacco and the people defending the asbestos industry”.