As the AFL pushes to bring more players into the game, a powerful Four Corners investigation reveals startling new evidence of brain disease in younger players.
The AFL has set a target of one million registered participants by 2033, with women and children central to that growth. Reporter Jessica Halloran speaks to families devastated by the deaths of young footballers later diagnosed with CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. Some parents say they were never warned about the disease.
The investigation raises serious questions about whether the AFL has moved quickly enough to educate players and families, support former players and provide a clear pathway for brain donations.
Four Corners also asks whether Australia's richest sporting code is being frank enough about the risks of the game it is working so hard to grow.