Geelong has removed a secret concussion waiver from a player's contract letter after the AFL confirmed such arrangements are not sanctioned under the league's rules.

The waiver required a player with a history of concussions to assume all legal risk related to further head injuries. On 6 August 2026, Geelong advised the AFL that the clause would be struck from the contract letter, though the club noted the player continues to acknowledge potential risks associated with playing (The Australian; Fox Sports).

The AFL released a statement confirming the removal, saying "any proposed arrangements that impact on a player's legal rights" are not sanctioned by the league (AFL.com.au). Despite the seriousness of the arrangement, the AFL said Geelong avoided sanction over the deal (ESPN).

Concussion in AFL is a medical issue with legal weight. When a player suffers a head knock, the club's medical staff follow return-to-play protocols, but the long-term effects of repeated concussions — including potential brain disease — remain a serious concern across contact sport. Asking a player to sign away legal rights around that risk raised questions about duty of care that the league could not ignore.

Geelong CEO Steve Hocking confirmed the waiver's removal in a statement and acknowledged that the AFL Players Association (AFLPA), the union representing players, was not included in the process of drafting or agreeing to the clause (K Rock).

The sidelining of the AFLPA is notable. The union exists to protect player rights across contract negotiations, medical decisions, and career welfare. A clause that shifts legal liability for head injuries onto the player sits squarely in that territory.

The deal came to light amid growing scrutiny of how AFL clubs manage players with concussion histories. The league has tightened its concussion protocols in recent years, mandating minimum rest periods and tightening the criteria for clearing a player to return. A waiver that asks a player to carry all legal risk sits awkwardly alongside those efforts.

For the player involved, the clause is gone. For the broader playing group, the episode is a reminder that contract letters can carry weight well beyond salary and term — and that the fine print around head injuries is now everyone's business.