A class action lawsuit brought by former AFL players against their clubs and the league over the alleged impacts of concussions has been set down for a mammoth 12-week trial in the second half of next year.
The lawsuit was launched by former Geelong defender Max Rooke in 2023, with almost 100 players since signing on to be part of the proceedings.
The case returned before Justice Andrew Keogh in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday as a three-month trial was listed to begin on July 26 next year.
Mediation between the parties was also listed for a directions hearing on September 30 and a “conclave process”, where experts are brought together to discuss issues relevent to the case, will be held next year.
Mr Rooke played 125 games for the Cats between 2002 and 2010, alleging he suffered permanent life-altering brain damage from concussion-related injuries while playing and training.
He alleges that he was was not reasonably cared for following head knocks nor adequately warned about the risk of harm.
The proceeding has been brought on behalf of all players, or their families and estates, in the competition between 1985 and March 2023 who had suffered permanent brain injuries as a result of head stikes.
The legal action alleges the AFL and individual player’s clubs failed to manage concussion injuries sustained in the course of matches and training.
In September last year, Justice Keogh rejected a bid by the AFL and Geelong Football Club to have the class action broken apart into separate claims by individual players.
