GROUND BREAKING PAYOUT

In what is believed to be the first time an AFL player has been compensated by the league after taking a case to court over an injury sustained whilst playing, former Australian football star Phil Krakouer received $90,000 in an out of court settlement with the AFL, MCG Trust and his former club, North Melbourne.

Krakouer severely injured his left knee in July 1989 when his feet became stuck in mud when running for the ball in a game against Fitzroy at the MCG.  The $90,000 payout was compensation for pain and suffering and future economic loss.

Krakouer's barrister, Mr Dyson Hore - Lacy QC, said the result would send out a warning to all sport administrators they carried the same responsibility as any employee to provide a safe workplace.  "The lesson is that all sporting organisations should be insured", Mr Hore-Lacey said.  "If they continue to provide unsafe surfaces, they'll continue to get sued."

AFL players Association executive Andrew Demetriou said his organisation recently teamed up with the AFL Medical Association to establish standard "ground hardness" to reduce injuries.  This is a good example of a sport being proactive in reducing the likelihood of similar incident occurring.

ENGLISH RUGBY PLAYER JAILED FOR PUNCH

An English rugby union player was jailed for four months for punching an opponent unconscious during an amateur match.

In the case, heard before Exeter Crown Court in the south of England in August, 1998 prop forward, Bradley Loughman (35) "pole axed" opposing prop, Stuart Young with a single punch.  Young was airlifted to hospital where he had a dozen stitches to a cut right eye.  He was still suffering dizziness, short term memory loss and lack of concentration four months after the game.

Loughman, who was banned for life by his club Wesses, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

When passing sentence, Judge Graham Neville told Loughman, "Everyone knows sport requires a great deal of strength and sometimes lawful violence.  But not unlawful violence, because it brings about consequences such as resulted in this case.  This was a deliberate, measured and powerful punch.  You pole axed your opponent."
                                                  By Rod Hughes
                                                                     Summer  1998

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