The AFL Players’ Association has completed its investigation into the conduct of accredited agent Peter Blucher in respect of his client Adam Treloar.
The investigation followed a formal request by GWS Giants that the Association, in its role as regulator of AFL Accredited Agents, investigate Blucher’s conduct in connection with Adam’s surgery in late September this year, including whether he had acted improperly in not formally notifying GWS Giants of the surgery.
The surgery was conducted approximately two weeks after Adam asked to be traded from the Giants to the Collingwood Football Club, but prior to Adam actually being traded to Collingwood.
It was apparent in the investigation that there were differing views as to whether Blucher had notified GWS Giants. Blucher said that he notified the club prior to Adam’s surgery. The Giants maintain that at no time were they notified of Adam’s surgery until after it occurred. The investigation was not able to reach a definitive position on this issue.
The investigation found that, irrespective of whether the above conversation occurred, Blucher did not act improperly and sought to act in his client’s best interests at all times. While it would have been advisable for Blucher to notify GWS Giants (as he claims he did) given Adam was still a contracted GWS Giants’ player, he had no express obligation to do so.
Going forward, the minimum medical standards agreed by the AFL and AFLPA will impose a positive obligation on a player to notify the club doctor of any intended surgery.