Gary Ablett Sr, one of many biggest gamers in AFL historical past, has spoken of his considerations that he has suffered mind injury from concussions throughout his on-field profession.
The Geelong icon is the highest-profile former participant to disclose his well being points in relation to on-field concussion, now a significant concern in world sport.
Fellow former Cats participant Max Rooke is the lead plaintiff in a category motion involving former gamers in opposition to the AFL, searching for as much as $1 billion in compensation.
Separately, Ablett on Sunday detailed a prognosis of mind injury, which he says is said to his legendary enjoying profession.
He has contacted his former supervisor Peter Jess, who has turn into a outstanding advocate for ex-AFL gamers over the concussion concern.
Jess shouldn’t be concerned within the class motion launched final week by Maralit Injury Lawyers, however he’s working with lawyer Greg Griffin on a separate authorized case.
“I started getting symptoms that alarmed me to the point where I contacted Peter Jess, whom I’m aware has been a concussion advocate for a number of past players,” Ablett advised News Corp.
“I told him of my concerns and Peter helped organise an MEG scan that American Military use. It showed I have significant structural and functional brain damage.
“Obviously I used to be a really bodily participant and whereas I solely acquired completely knocked out eight-10 instances, I skilled being semi-concussed, equivalent to ears ringing and out of it for a couple of minutes many dozens of instances.
“But because you weren’t knocked completely out you wouldn’t even bother mentioning it.”
Previously, Ablett additionally has admitted to illicit drug use when he was youthful.
Last week, the AFL launched a press release saying it had made greater than 30 modifications to concussion protocols, tribunal tips and on-field guidelines to guard gamers’ heads.
It additionally launched a strategic plan for sport-related concussion in Australian soccer.
Last week, rugby league made essentially the most vital modifications to its concussion coverage in almost a decade, introducing a compulsory 11-day stand down for gamers after mind accidents.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
