AFL players to lose insurance coverage for brain injuries

More than 500 AFL players will soon no longer be covered by insurance for brain injuries in their superannuation, after Zurich Insurance moved to cut their ability to claim for concussion and head trauma from May 1 this year.

Zurich Insurance confirmed the move and told the ABC there was "widespread uncertainty" around the potential magnitude of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) — the brain disease linked to repetitive hits — and the long-term effects of concussion.

In a statement to the ABC, Zurich Insurance said it was recently requested to put forward "a revised proposal for the provision of insurance" within the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) superannuation fund, the trustee for which is AMP.

A Zurich spokesperson confirmed AFL players were informed earlier this week that no total and permanent disability (TPD) benefit would be payable for any claim made after May 1 for traumatic head injury, concussion, CTE, post-concussion syndrome or any neurological impairment linked to brain injury.

"We understand that the trustee [AMP], in consultation with the AFLPA, determined Zurich's proposal was the most appropriate when compared with other available market offerings," a Zurich spokesperson said.

"There remains continued widespread uncertainty about the long-term health impacts and risks associated with concussion events from playing high-contact sports, including the subsequent development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

"Beyond individual or group insurance arrangements we acknowledge the establishment of the Severe Injury Benefit by the AFL and AFLPA in May 2025 to support players who have suffered a significant cognitive or bodily impairment from playing football."

Currently AFL footballers are entitled to as much as $1.1 million in death and TPD cover via their superannuation.

However on May 1, TPD cover will fall by $650,000 and death cover will fall by $350,000.

Such is the state of concern around insuring AFL players the ABC understands that Zurich Insurance was the only group to make an insurance offering in a recent tender process.

AFL players including Richmond's Shane Tuck, St Kilda great Danny Frawley, Eagles premiership player Adam Hunter and AFLW premiership player Heather Anderson have all been diagnosed with CTE post-mortem.

The AFL players insurance cut was first reported by SEN Radio on Thursday.

Former Melbourne Demons star Angus Brayshaw is currently in a high-profile fight for a payout from Zurich Insurance.

Brayshaw, who won a premiership with the Demons, played 167 games but was forced into retirement because of concussion issues.

Former AFL players currently battling severe injuries as they exit the game can access up to $600,000 lump sums as part of a $54 million injury and support fund — but they are not covered by WorkCover.

The lawyer leading the multimillion-dollar class action against the AFL on behalf of 100 footballers, Margalit Lawyers principal Michel Margalit, believes the current financial support system for players is "eroding".

"How can we sit back and allow these hardworking members of society, our footballers, to be left without adequate compensation arrangements? Footy is big business. It's 'work'.

"The AFLPA Hardship Fund, while improved, is a far cry from a statutory compensation scheme and the funding available is wholly inadequate and inferior to WorkCover."

Ms Margalit says more needs to be done to care for former players.

"The very reason professional athletes are prohibited from receiving workers' compensation is 'because sporting contestants will generally be covered by other insurance arrangements', according to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill 2013 Explanatory Memorandum," she said.

"Zurich's landmark decision shows that is no longer the case."

"I call on state and federal governments to follow the recommendation from the 2023 Senate Inquiry Into Concussions and Repeated Head Trauma in Contact Sport which was to consider how the exclusion of professional sportspeople from workers' compensation could be removed.

"Action must be taken to protect our beloved footy players. It might be our pastime, but it's their occupation."

The AFL has been contacted for comment.

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