IT’S becoming clearer by the day that the fear of litigation is forcing the AFL to change our game.

Last year’s landmark ruling in America which saw approximately 4000 former players sue the NFL for US$760 million has the AFL thinking that they could be next on the list. The NFL was sued because the players claimed it knew of the danger of on-field head injuries and didn’t do enough about them, or provide enough support for those affected post-retirement.

But gridiron is a totally different game to Australian Rules. They constantly smash into each other’s heads throughout the game, week-in, week-out, with helmets on which makes them go harder and does nothing to stop concussion.

If there was ever a sport that was similar to a boxer being constantly jabbed in the head, it would have to be gridiron. But AFL is different, the chances of being hit in the head are less even though when it does happen, it can be very hard.

Where the AFL is also different to the NFL is that is has acknowledged there are potential risks with concussion and have informed players. For as long as I remember, player welfare has always been paramount for the AFL.

They have brought in rules that if you suffer a head knock you can leave the ground and be assessed for up to 20 minutes in which the team doctor can perform an adequate assessment of their health before returning to the game.

News_Image_File: Cat Allen Christensen is helped from the field with concussion. Picture: Sarah Reed

And if you are deemed to be concussed, you are not allowed to take any further part. They could take it a step further by banning the player from playing the following week.

The league has also cleaned up the game from yesteryear where headhigh hits from fists, elbows and shoulders are no longer tolerated. But I think they’ve taken it too far, as we saw last week with Jack Viney and earlier with Nathan Fyfe in which players are being suspended for accidental contact.

There’s a bit of chat going on in the background at the moment that some ex-players are considering taking legal action for compensation due to long-term affects of head injuries suffered while they were playing.

I don’t know who they are or what injuries they have got, but I hope these blokes are doing it for the right reasons and realise the ramifications that could come of it if they are to succeed.

I hope these blokes aren’t just seeing it as an opportunity to get some easy money and being convinced by some dodgy lawyer who is happy to bend the rules for some short-term gain without thinking of the consequences or the reputation of these individuals.

It bugs me in society today that people would sue when they might trip over a gutter or slip in the street, just because they can. When in reality, accidents do happen and people just need to get on with life.

It is the same on a football field. No one is making you play. You know the dangers and risks associated with playing a contact sport like football.

Former Crows, Power and Central District footballer and Magarey Medallist Brad Symes is a perfect example.

News_Image_File: GWS Giants co-captain Callan Ward is tested for concussion. Picture: Sarah Reed

Last week he announced his retirement from football after his 11th concussion. He estimates that 9-10 of them were accidental and accepts that was part of the game.

But due to his age and the stage of his life and not wanting to risk further injury, he has decided to retire, just as my old teammate Scott Stevens did at the Crows in 2010.

I have absolutely no problem if these players take action at some point in the future for money to cover medical bills like doctors, physios, chiropractors or any other rehabilitation that can be directly related to their injury.

But I would have a beef if former players try to sue for millions of dollars just because an opportunity presented itself.

Some days I feel like I wish I could sue for the way my ankles, knees, lower back or neck feel as well. But I don’t.

Just as you don’t hear of old shearers, or concreters, fruit growers and farmers taking action for injuries to their body from their lifetime of work.

Footballers for many years have made a life out of the game they love. Whether it was hundreds of dollars in the 1980s to thousands of dollars in the 90s or millions of dollars today, it has provided players with opportunities to have a better life and the individuals themselves needs to respect that and not take advantage of it.

No one ever made them play. It wasn’t like when your name was called to go to war and you had no choice. Players play football because they want to.

I’m no lawyer, but why can’t we make current players sign waivers to say they acknowledge and understand the risks of potential head injuries?

I’m sure if the AFL knew that multi-million dollar lawsuits were not a risk of coming their way, then the current rules around the bump would not have gone so far.

And if they hadn’t, maybe kids football wouldn’t be in the confused state that it is, but don't get me started on that!