It’s becoming more common among sportsmen ...

Ex Melbourne forward Shaun Smith found to have ‘permanent incapacity’ has superannuation paid out early

“MARK of the Century highflyer Shaun Smith has been paid out his superannuation a decade in advance because of crippling brain injuries suffered while playing football.”

Paywall

Fund trustees for Cbus Super have agreed to the early release of Smith’s benefit on the grounds of “Permanent Incapacity”.

The company has accepted independent medical advice declaring that he is incapable of ever returning to the workforce.

Basically, the first AFL player assessed in this way but there are others as well who will benefit from this groundbreaking case.

i wonder how much his injuries were aggravated by playing in lower leagues for 6 years after leaving melbourne at age 29. certainly wouldn't have helped. tragic outcome for shaun.

 

Best wishes to Shaun and his family. 

Jeez not good to hear, hope he's ok. 

Loved watching shaun play, very sad hope he is going to ok?

boy the man could fly, but his problem was he couldn't land, unlike howe who lands on his feet everytime Sean used to land on his head you can't protect the player from that.

 

16 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Deservedly so. $1.4 million is not much in the greater scheme of things. Especially in 2020.

Wouldn't be surprised if this hits Joel Selwood at some point.  These are just a few examples but there would be so many on his list, particularly the way he would go in head first early on to extract the "head high rule / protect the head" when it was rampant with the AFL and umps at one stage before they introduced the "taking the legs out" rule...

https://www.afl.com.au/video/62637/selwood-out-cold-after-brutal-head-knock?videoId=62637&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1498360886001

https://www.afl.com.au/video/169330/selwood-crunched-in-heavy-dixon-hit?videoId=169330&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1495707219001

And at 2:10 in this one...... particularly brutal hit but unfortunately he did lead with his head...

 

I dunno.
If you want to be a professional athelete playing a contact sport surely you have to accept the risks involved for the rewards.
No-one has forced any-one to play AFL football.
And what does this mean for amature leagues?
May as well shut the shop if the floodgates open.