Overview
- WorkSafe Victoria confirmed on Saturday that it has received a request and launched a developing investigation into alleged contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act by the AFL.
- The probe will reportedly focus on whether the league’s contact training drills and its collision load‑tracking from late 2022 onward adequately protected players from repeated head impacts.
- The investigation follows ABC Four Corners reporting that 33 Australian‑rules players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that can only be confirmed after death.
- On the field, Round 18 continued as scheduled with St Kilda defeating Port Adelaide by 14 points while the Power also suffered injuries to key players including Zak Butters and Mitch Georgiades.
- WorkSafe previously closed a review in December 2022 that found no identifiable offence, so this new inquiry could re‑examine record‑keeping, training protocols and employer duties and carry implications for player welfare and league policy.