WorkSafe Victoria has opened an investigation into the AFL’s concussion management amid an epidemic of CTE diagnoses in past players.

The probe will determine whether the league has appropriately safeguarded players from repeated brain impacts during training over the past four years, with an update set to be provided by July 28.

In-game incidents won’t be within the scope of the investigation, with WorkSafe focusing on the AFL’s approach towards contact training and collision load-tracking, according to The Herald Sun.

It was revealed last month that 33 former AFL players have been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, including former Eagle Adam Hunter, Tiger Shane Tuck and St Kilda great Danny Frawley, with 19 of them having committed suicide.

The AFL have adopted a 12-day return-to-play policy after concussion incidents; however, current research has found brain disturbances 28 days after concussions.

One of the world’s most influential neurologists, Paul McCrory, quit his role on the AFL’s concussion group in 2021 over the shorter return-to-play policy.

Former Victorian Coroner John Cain has advocated for contact limits at AFL training sessions.

It’s not the first Australian Rules-related investigation WorkSafe has launched this week, with the organisation also looking into the death of local Victorian footballer Nathan Fitzgerald.

The 27-year-old was critically injured during a local match at Lalor Recreation Reserve after his head collided with a cricket pitch.

Mr Fitzgerald was taken to hospital where he was given end-of-life care before passing away.

WorkSafe will look into whether adequate steps were taken to limit the dangers posed by the pitch, which was covered by a “shock-absorbing” mat.

Last week, a grieving friend of late West Coast premiership star Adam Hunter penned an emotional letter to the AFL claiming it has failed in its duty of care to players.

Hunter died in February last year at age 43 and was later diagnosed with the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Signing off the letter as a “grieving best mate”, Dave Andrews wrote to the AFL Commission this week, stating more must be done to protect current and future footballers from CTE, according to an ABC report.

Mr Andrews has also posted letters to AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, AFL Players Association boss James Gallagher and West Coast Eagles chair Elizabeth Gaines.

He has also written to the chairs of ASIC and WorkSafe Australia, Victoria and Western Australia and the junior and local footy clubs Hunter played at.