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FORMER Essendon rookie Hal Hunter is trying to force the club and the AFL to give up documents about the 2012 supplements program that could form the basis for legal action against the organisations.
Lawyers for Hunter told a Victorian court the supplements program exposed him to significant risk to his health and well-being, and he believed he could have grounds to sue.
Hunter, who was delisted at the end of 2013 after two seasons without a senior game, agreed to participate in the 2012 supplements program because it was endorsed by senior Essendon players, the court heard.
"During the relevant period the Essendon Football Club owed him a duty of care," Arthur Moses, for Hunter, told the Victorian Supreme Court.
"The AFL may have also breached its duty to ensure his welfare as a player."
The court heard that early in 2012 a PowerPoint presentation was given to Essendon players, during which coach James Hird and senior players assured the team that the program was compliant with anti-doping regulations.
Among other things, Hunter's lawyers are seeking the record of interview between Hird and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
Mr Moses said Hunter also wants to know when the AFL became aware of the supplements program, and what it did with that information.
"We want to know what documents they had that could have put them on notice," Mr Moses said.
Renee Enbom, for the AFL, said the organisation does not accept that there could be any possible claim against it.
It objects to providing a number of documents on the grounds that they are too broad, the court heard.
Essendon lawyer Anthony Young said Hunter has no claim because he can't demonstrate loss.
"One starts with loss, there is no loss," he said.
The hearing continues before Associate Justice Nemeer Mukhtar.
Hal Hunter with James Hird at Essendon training in 2012. Picture: AFL Media
