Ty Zantuck’s lawyer Greg Griffin has slammed Richmond for not possessing his client’s medical records following the injection of multiple painkillers during his stint with the Tigers.
Zantuck has sought a damages claim against his former club after being injected with painkillers and epidurals up to 50 times between 2001-03 to overcome a persistent back problem.
The 36-year-old has had 17 operations on his spine since calling time on his AFL career in 2005 that have had enormous consequences on his health and well-being.
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“You don’t have to destroy records and you shouldn’t destroy records because players invariably who suffer from injuries, illnesses and affects from football, they don’t happen within seven years of retirement, they happen 10, 15 and 20 years after retirement,” Griffin told SEN Breakfast.
“For that reason, I’m actually quite appalled that these records don’t exist. He’s in a really difficult position.
“He’s had numerous operations, I think he’s quite frank about it, but he can basically barely work anymore, he’s depressed, he struggles to keep up with his children – it’s had a catastrophic effect on him.
“Quite frankly, I think his body is pretty well buggered.”
Zantuck, who made his AFL debut in 2000, played 77 games for Richmond and Essendon.