Former Essendon ruckman John Barnes leading player push to sue AFL over concussion
Former Essendon ruckman John Barnes leading player push to sue AFL over concussion
Former Geelong and Essendon ruckman John Barnes is leading a push to sue the AFL and its clubs with relation to the effects of concussion post-retirement.
Barnes is one of roughly 12 former footy players who fear neurological impairments could be linked to countless head knocks suffered while playing the game and are weighing up their legal options, according to News Corp.
The 2000 premiership player will be a lead plaintiff in a proposed Federal Court action with the help of highly-regarded lawyer Greg Griffin and player agent Peter Jess.
Barnes was diagnosed with epilepsy five years ago and has experienced increased memory loss and anger issues. The 48-year-old believes all of those conditions could be linked to his playing days.
āItās turned my life upside down ā¦ Iām not the same bloke I used to be,ā Barnes said.
"I know things are changing in my mind and I want answers."ā
St Vincentās Hospital head of neurology professor Mark Cook and leading neuroscientist professor Alan Pearce have both assessed Barnes.
āI got the report back this week and he (Pearce) said itās like Iām driving a car with no brakes,ā Barnes said.
"Iām going downhill fast and all the damage has been done.
"I had three broken jaws playing footy and was concussed probably half a dozen times.
āOther times, you just shook it off and kept going, and that could have been three knocks a game that stun you like a mullet.ā
Thatās one way to make everyone think your a idiot looking for a quick buck. Seriously, howās it anyoneās fault but your own. Itās a contact sport. You know the risks. Iād be amazed if he got a cent
I wouldnāt. I think the risks posed by concussion and head knocks have been grossly misundrstood until recently and it many respects things are still quite unclear. While the obligation of an employer to provide a āsafeā workplace has a slightly different meaning in the context of professional support it has meaning nevertheless. None of the protocols around concussion existed when Barnes played and the interpretation of a legal bump was far more liberal. The very fact that the AFL has now taken steps to mitigate these risks will be used against them. The question will be ought they have done more earlier and were the risks properly understood by the players.
The a league connection is an interesting side issue here.
Regardless of whether the AFL is liable, the guy is obviously suffering from some health issues. I think we can show him some compassion at the very least (not withstanding the fact that he is an Essendon premiership player - you know, one of the guys that allows you to walk around and gloat that we have won 16 premierships).
Agree. Itās pretty important to be empathetic to the health issues of past players. They werenāt looked after, like the players today. Ie. head being sacrosanct, changing rules to stop concussed players coming on, changing rules to support the player with his head down.
I feel sorry for the bloke donāt get me wrong. Itās not a ideal situation. But cmon, itād be like trying to sue McDonaldās because their food made you fat
Like I said, football in a contact sport. You willingly participate KNOWING the risks. How you can try and sue a organisation that is in no way responsible for you being concussed is beyond me
If anything at all, not that Iād agree with it, wouldnāt Geelong and Essendon, as they are obviously the ones to deem you fit to play, hold more blame than the AFL?