Wally Lewis has revealed that he is suffering from early onset dementia, a result of years of head knocks that were sustained in his rugby league career.
Speaking on Sunday night’s 60 Minutes, he announced that he had been diagnosed with likely Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative condition, and had stepped back from his role with Channel 9 in Queensland has a result.
“For a lot of sports guys, I think most of us take on this belief that we’ve got to prove how tough we are, how rugged,” he said.
“And if we put our hands up and seek sympathy, then we’re going to be seen as the real cowards of the game. But we’ve got to take it on and admit that the problems are there.”
CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously, through brain examination, but dementia expert Dr Rowena Mobbs told 60 Minutes that she was confident that Lewis’ condition was a result of his footy career.
“You could interpret it as guesswork,” she said. “But it’s educated guesswork by a specialist in dementia.
“It does look like CTE. There’s plenty of evidence pointing towards that – I’m 90 per cent certain this is the case.”
Knights set to stick with O’Brien despite Holbrook meeting
The speculation over Adam O’Brien’s future at Newcastle appears to have ended with Sydney Morning Herald journalist Danny Weidler announcing that the club will be sticking with the coach for at least another year.
Over the weekend, the news broke that Newcastle had met with former Titans boss Justin Holbrook about potentially taking over from Adam O’Brien – while knocking back their incumbent coach’s request for a contract extension.
The Knights have been on a hot streak in the last few weeks, but club bosses are still unsure if O’Brien is their long-term option as coach. His contract is until the end of 2024.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, O’Brien was unaware of the meeting between higher-ups and the recently sacked Holbrook.
It is remarkably similar situation to that which brought O’Brien to the club: his predecessor, Nathan Brown, left McDonald Jones Stadium after finding out that club bosses had sounded out O’Brien, who was then an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters.
Club legend Andrew Johns backed O’Brien to stay with the Knights.
“He deserves another year,” he said.
“For a fair chunk of the year to start with Kalyn Ponga was out, since Kalyn’s come back and playing fullback it’s a different team. He’s the man to let the club move forward,.
“I think he should be coach, I think they should extend him, give him another year and get it done the next couple of weeks.”
Marata Niukore scores a try as he is tackled by Will Kennedy. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Sharks expect to lose Kennedy
Cronulla are fearing the worst for fullback Will Kennedy after he departed Saturday night’s loss to Penrith with a hamstring injury.
He has been sent for scans, but with just six weeks remaining of the season – if the Sharks do not make the Finals – it might be too soon for a return, especially given the potential for re-injury with hamstring issues.
Should Kennedy be unable to return, the options are thin for coach Craig Fitzgibbon. Back-up Kade Dykes is out for the year with an ACL tear and the club released Lachie Miller to Newcastle at the start of the season.
He could move Nicho Hynes to the back, where he impressed for Melbourne, though that would remove his star halfback from his favoured role.
Matt Moylan, who was dropped two weeks ago, is a potential solution. He came through as a fullback before transitioning to the halves.
A leftfield option would be to ask Newcastle for Miller back, as he has been playing reserve grade at the Knights and seems to be surplus to requirements.
Dale Finucane (pec) and Teig Wilton (knee) are already out for the rest of the year.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Who said he doesn't care? Wash your mouth out young man. This is the King to whom you challenge admiration towards. Off with your head !!!
mushi
Roar Guru
Not sure a tackle sport is great on the joints. Plus if they're playing in most Australian facilities I've seen they're sprung wooden floors which are pretty forgiving. I also think just because everything has risk doesn't mean you disregard the risks of everything.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Exactly. If you want that and want to preserve your brain (if not your intelligence), become an Instagram influencer
mushi
Roar Guru
They aren't but epilepsy can definitely be caused by concussion
mushi
Roar Guru
Then he's an not worth admiration if he doesn't care that it rips his family apart
mushi
Roar Guru
Yeah I'd be a bit ashamed of a family member who chose the fickle admiration of strangers over their family
Nick
Roar Rookie
I'm most. If you actually want to sacrifice your brain and have someone feed you with a spoon in your 60's just so other people can talk about you, good for you. You would be a minority. I guarantee it. People don't crave fame and glory as much as you think.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Well then they will never play League. That's right. And if you think I'm alone as a parent in that thought, you are dead wrong. It's why junior numbers are going backwards. And heading is increasingly becoming banned in junior soccer. My kids are quite young (the oldest is only 4), it will be banned outright in a few years. I already know some of the under 8's and 9's where it is banned in training and actively discouraged in game play on Saturday. Coaches and the ref are drilling it into the kids to let the ball bounce first. Heading has been outright banned from under 13's and below in the UK. So, I hate to break it to you, you are about 6 years behind the conversation on heading in football.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes, but you are not everyone
Rellum
Roar Guru
Well then they will never play League. Hate to break it to you but football(soccer) is just as bad as league due to the constant heading.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Nah not me. I'd rather live longer and see what my kids, (future) grand kids, (future) great grands do in life than be preoccupied with what strangers think/thought of me You don't get to revel in fame and glory when you're dead anyway.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That was the question I was posing. Would he swap his life for a average one where he is not remembered to spend the last decade or two healthy. Would and average joe swap their life for his knowing the full story and cost. I would suggest many would.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
That’s exactly the moment that came to mind, 3RM. Also a test in 89 against NZ when trying to knock Wally out was basically their entire game plan.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Best wishes Snowy. Just do whatever the doctors ask of you and don't put off any leisure plans.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Having suffered some brain damage from too many head knocks I fear I’m heading towards some form of dementia. Its been discussed.It’s a terrible prognosis. It’s very scary and decisions must be made before it takes too much of a hold. It’s devastating for the sufferer and the loved ones/ /caregivers. Prayers for all who suffer when such diagnoses are made. Time to get it right. Tackling around the waist and around the legs as long as it’s not a hip drop would be the best bet with no more than two in a tackle. When a head bounces on the hard turf and then is piled on with 3 more tacklers the old noggin gets more banged and bounced around. It’s not good. Something has gotta give.
Adam
Roar Guru
It's more about what's easier to sell to the boss! That said my worst sporting injuries have been playing baseball, so goodness knows no sport is too safe
Nick
Roar Rookie
Sore joints won't impact longevity prospects or your money making abilities in the professions A bashed up brain does limit your options
Nick
Roar Rookie
Well, considering the average life expectancy of a male is about 80 years in Australia, and tanything early would be 10-15% before that. So anything before 72 is early. Remember to that 80 is an average...when you exclude early deaths a healthy male makes it to at least 90. So, 72 by any measure is a preliminary expiry.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Dunno mate - hard floors, lot of jumping - knees, ankles, hips and groins that will hurt a lot in later life if they play long enough. Less collisions but in my experience it's the joints that are hurting the most. Point being - its all dangerous. All the best to welfare of your kids and everyone else's - its stressful watching your kids play sport
Robbo
Roar Rookie
What would you consider early?