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Geelong’s Max Rooke,a two-time premiership player with the Cats,battles for the ball with Hawthorn skipper Luke HodgeCredit:John Donegan

Rooke played 135 games for the Cats from 2001 to 2010 and played in the club’s 2007 and 2009 premierships.

He was a member of the club’s leadership group in 2007 and went on to work as an assistant coach at Geelong,the Gold Coast and Melbourne after he retired. He played a game for his local club,Casterton,alongside premiership teammates Brad Ottens and Mathew Stokes in 2021.

The claim states he is one of seven or more players involved in the action and says Rooke,41,suffered concussion on about “20-30 occasions” and was knocked unconscious twice. It is unclear which other players are involved in the action.

Margalit Injury Lawyers principal partner Michel Margalit said in a statement it was time compensation was given to players who had suffered the effects of head knocks through playing in the AFL.

“The injuries suffered by this group of former AFL players,as a direct result of the concussions sustained while playing Aussie rules,has had a devastating impact on their lives and the lives of their loved ones,” Margalit said.

“Some of the players who have joined this landmark class action have never been able to hold down a job after leaving the AFL. Their personal lives have been shattered and they live with constant physical and mental pain. It’s heartbreaking and they need to be adequately cared for.”

The class action comes after formerCollingwood AFLW player Emma Grant andformer Western Bulldogs player Liam Pickenlodged claims in the County and Supreme courts,respectively,last week.

The AFL has been investigating the merits of a no-fault concussion compensation and support fund but is yet to commit to establishing it.

The league announced in 2021 that it intended to invest$2.5 million a year over 10 years into a study of concussion,a commitment that was included as a centrepiece of their concussion strategy released on Tuesday.

There is also a Senate enquiry into the impact of concussion and head knocks in sport,with the AFL expected to make a submission ahead of a public hearing to be held in Melbourne.

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