Statement from David Matthews, Chief Executive of the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS, in relation to the AFLPA’s recently completed player agent investigation

We note that following the AFLPA’s investigation into Peter Blucher’s management of Adam Treloar’s medical treatment, the Association will now seek to ensure that the minimum medical standards agreed by the AFL and AFLPA will impose a positive obligation on a player agent to notify the club doctor of any intended surgery to an AFL contracted player.  

The AFLPA’s investigation clearly exposed an important issue with regard to the integrity of player contracts in relation to a number of factors with player health and welfare, risk management and liability being chief among them.

We requested the circumstances be looked into based on the fact that one of our contracted players underwent a significant medical procedure without any prior notification whatsoever. We believe clubs should be advised or consulted on any medical procedures irrespective of whether a contracted player requests a trade. We also believe in the integrity of the player contract system which is an important issue for all clubs and players.

We are pleased that measures will be taken to ensure that this circumstance doesn’t eventuate again.