Melbourne Sports Law Association

23/10/2026

The AFLW has made significant strides towards professionalism, yet its shorter seasons and ongoing employment limitations reveal how far the competition still has to go. Julia Kent considers whether the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement can break the cycle of commercial constraints and deliver the long-term investment, playing opportunities and employment security needed to secure the future of women’s football.

The AFLW has made significant strides towards professionalism, yet its shorter seasons and ongoing employment limitations reveal how far the competition still has to go. Julia Kent considers whether the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement can break the cycle of commercial constraints and delive

12/10/2026

🎙️ We’re excited to announce that the second episode of MSLA’s Off the Field Podcast is now live on Spotify!

⚽ In this episode, Jackson Benson and James Norbury chat with Jack Kaye, former Legal Counsel at the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and Professional Footballers Australia. Jack shares insights into his career in sports law and his experience representing professional footballers both in Australia and abroad.

🎧 Tune in now to hear his advice for aspiring sports lawyers and learn more about the work happening behind the scenes in professional football!

🔗 Listen now on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6KcYq4ZjrHL3HirzjlsW6v?si=I9OdHmKPSQeFsDQOiPIFIw

09/10/2026

With 66,000 participants and a growing international profile, the Melbourne Marathon highlights the legal responsibilities behind major sporting events. Allie Vawser explores how the commercialisation of mass-participation sport raises important questions about negligence, liability and the limits of contractual waivers, examining where a runner’s acceptance of risk ends and an organiser’s duty of care begins.

With 66,000 participants and a growing international profile, the Melbourne Marathon highlights the legal responsibilities behind major sporting events. Allie Vawser explores how the commercialisation of mass-participation sport raises important questions about negligence, liability and the limits o

27/09/2026

Facial recognition promises safer, smarter sporting venues, but its growing use brings the privacy of fans into sharper focus. Yvonne Zhou explores how biometric surveillance at stadiums tests the limits of consent, necessity and proportionality under Australian privacy law, asking where legitimate venue security ends and disproportionate surveillance begins.

Facial recognition promises safer, smarter sporting venues, but its growing use brings the privacy of fans into sharper focus. Yvonne Zhou explores how biometric surveillance at stadiums tests the limits of consent, necessity and proportionality under Australian privacy law, asking where legitimate

23/09/2026

Just this past week we hosted the 5th annual MSLA AFL Grand Final Breakfast.

This year’s event and panel discussion brought together students, staff, legal professionals and AFL enthusiasts for a truly inspiring morning about the growth of the AFLW.

The Breakfast featured panellists Hester Mary Brown, Alex Taverner and Lauren Handreck for an important conversation about accessibility, inclusion, and cultural safety across the competition. Our panellists brought a wealth and depth of knowledge to our discussions.

Among other notable topics, the panel discussed the difference in scheduling arrangements between the men and women’s competition, the availability and implications of parental leave on player contracts, how we can make the AFLW a more safe and inclusive game for women and non-binary people, and the establishment of the Equality, Inclusion and Safety Advisory Committee through the 2023 - 2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

All attendees of the Breakfast received a copy of this year’s ‘MSLA Record’, which is our annual publication showcasing the past year’s events and features publications from our online micro blog covering topical sports law issues.

A tremendous thank you to the 2026 Committee for all their efforts this year. Thank you to the Melbourne Law School, Lander & Rogers, and the Graduate Student Association, University of Melbourne (GSA) for their help and support throughout the year as well.

We also want to thank everyone who attended our 2026 AFL Grand Final Breakfast and help made it one of our best yet!

18/09/2026

A $30 million fine, five lost first-round picks and a shattered franchise have placed the NBA’s salary cap rules firmly under the spotlight. James Theile unpacks the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard scandal, examining how secret third-party arrangements can circumvent collective bargaining rules and what the fallout could mean for the future enforcement of player endorsement deals.

A $30 million fine, five lost first-round picks and a shattered franchise have placed the NBA’s salary cap rules firmly under the spotlight. James Theile unpacks the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard scandal, examining how secret third-party arrangements can circumvent collective bargaining rules and w...

13/09/2026

Trade season is built on the idea that players can be swapped like assets. Jackson Benson explores why AFL players are employees first, examining how restraint of trade, player consent, and the AFL’s collective bargaining framework shape who really controls player movement during the Trade Period.

10/09/2026

We are excited to announce our full panel for the MSLA AFL Grand Final Breakfast! 🏉⚖️

At the Grand Final Breakfast, we’re bringing together an outstanding panel of leaders in sport:

❗Lauren Handreck - Litigation/Projects Lawyer at the AFL
Lauren Handreck is a Litigation/Projects Lawyer at the AFL, working across dispute resolution and strategic legal initiatives. She was part of the AFL’s joint working group with the AFLPA that negotiated and developed key enhancements to the AFL & AFLW Players’ Injury & Support Fund, expanding support for players. Previously, she held senior roles at Hall & Wilcox in its General Insurance team, specialising in complex litigation and insurance disputes.

❗Hester Mary Brown - Women’s Sports Advocate and Pride Cup Educator
Hester Mary Brown is a passionate Women’s Sports Advocate and Pride Cup education leader, dedicated to building a more inclusive AFL community. A familiar voice as an AFLW game-day MC and a qualified marriage celebrant, Hester also works closely with Our Watch, an organisation that works to prevent violence against women, as a gender equality advocate. Hester is also a co-host of the podcast The Significant Others, which allows listeners to learn more about the AFLW, and has a background in law.

❗Alex Taverner - General Manager - Legal Affairs and Player Advocacy at the AFLPA
Alex Taverner is a leading voice in sports law and player advocacy, currently working as General Manager - Legal Affairs and Player Advocacy at the AFLPA. Prior to this, Alex held senior legal roles at the Australian Basketball Players’ Association and as Legal Counsel at the AFLPA. Starting his career at ASIC before completing a Graduate Diploma in Sports Law at the University of Melbourne, Alex’s work sits at the intersection of law, sport and advocacy.

Come hear Hester, Alex, and Lauren’s insights and be part of the conversation.

MSLA members receive discounted tickets. Not a member yet? MSLA membership is FREE for all MLS JD and MLM students.

⏰Ticket sales close TOMORROW at 5pm
🎟️ Secure your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-msla-afl-grand-final-breakfast
👉Sign Up for Free Membership: https://forms.gle/ukCtaKUcQ4HebiVw9

09/09/2026

⏰Ticket sales close this Friday 11 September

We’re excited to spotlight Alex Taverner, General Manager - Legal Affairs and Player Advocacy at the AFLPA, for the MSLA AFL Grand Final Breakfast Panel.

Alex Taverner is a leading voice in sports law and player advocacy, currently working as General Manager - Legal Affairs and Player Advocacy at the AFLPA. Prior to this, Alex held senior legal roles at the Australian Basketball Players’ Association and as Legal Counsel at the AFLPA. Starting his career at ASIC before completing a Graduate Diploma in Sports Law at the University of Melbourne, Alex’s work sits at the intersection of law, sport and advocacy.

🎟️ Secure your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-msla-afl-grand-final-breakfast

09/09/2026

⏰ FINAL CALL! Ticket sales for the MSLA AFL Grand Final Breakfast close this Friday (11 September) at 5pm.

At the Grand Final Breakfast, we’re bringing together an outstanding panel of leaders in sport:
▪️Alex Taverner - General Manager, Legal Affairs and Player Advocacy at the AFL Players’ Association
▪️Hester Mary Brown - Women’s Sports Advocate and Pride Cup Educator
▪️Third Panelist - To be announced

This flagship event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from those shaping the growth of the AFLW, pushing for inclusion across both competitions, and advocating for player welfare.

Come hear Alex and Hester’s insights and be part of the conversation.

🎟️ Secure your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-msla-afl-grand-final-breakfast