The coroner in the inquest into the death of former Manly player Keith Titmuss has declared that the training conditions on the day he died were “more likely than not inappropriate”.
Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee said that the conditions surrounding the training session put Titmuss “at greater risk of heat illness” in a “very hot, very humid” gym.
Titmuss, who was 20, collapsed after a field session followed by a wrestling session at the Sea Eagles Narrabeen HQ in November 2020 with parademics recording his body temperature at just shy of 42 degrees Celsius. He later died at Royal North Shore Hospital of a cardiac arrest.
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Lee said that those on the scene, including Manly players and staff, would have been unable to help the player once he had collapsed.
“There is no evidence to suggest anything more could have been done by those immediately present,” he said, adding that ice packs “would not have resulted in any significant reduction in Keith’s temperature”.
Lee made a series of recommendations to the NRL around heat, including that they institute a two-week return to play acclimatisation system for players after the off-season and that they change training plans as required because of temperatures.
He also suggested that a medical professional sign off on strength and conditioning plans and that heat illness education be more widespread.
Titmuss was deemed the least fit player at Manly when he collapsed, having returned to training 5kgs overweight, and Lee also asked for a screening process for those deemed high risk.
The NRL is already conducting an independent review of heat policies around training.
“This can’t happen again in the game, we all understand that,” said Manly CEO Tony Mestrov. “And we don’t want it to happen under Manly’s watch ever again.
“We want to make sure we’re thinking of them today and how tough that was. Obviously, we’ve willingly participated in this inquiry and inquest. His Honour has handed down the findings today and we intend to take the recommendations up.”
The Barry
Roar Guru
These guys are involved in 50+ high impact collisions a week and you think NRL grappling training is the concussion risk? They’d just done 90 minutes of wrestling training and Topine had to do an extra 10 minutes. Concussion risk hasn’t even been mentioned in this until you’ve brought it up You’ve demonstrated time and again you don’t understand what happens at training. This is just another example How many NRL club doctors did you speak with in your little GP fantasy?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
When less players get injured due to gradual protocols that will give the clubs more time for serious training…
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
You want me to provide overwhelming evidence of the link between wrestling and concussion? Are you serious??? Are you suggesting there isn't? Really? My word... I think the passing of Titmuss was tragic. I'm not using his death for anything. I challenge you to find a doctor, just ONE doctor who would support wrestling as a form of punishment when there clear alternates available. I've spoken to four. Granted, not every GP in Sydney, but I'll wager four more than you. None endorsed what the Bulldogs did as a form of punishment. Risking the brain to punish someone is "insane". Their choice of word. Not mine. Answer this: Why would you risk concussion on someone just to punish them?
Andrew
Roar Rookie
Be good if they banned wrestling though as may help the flow of the game.
The Barry
Roar Guru
“despite all the overwhelming evidence that wrestling increases the likelihood of a concussion” Can you produce some of that “overwhelming evidence” “This despite literally every expert under the sun saying that wrestling, unless necessary for the profession of wrestling, should be avoided.” Are you serious? You’re saying that “every expert under the sun” says wrestling training should be avoided by rugby league clubs It’s a shame you’re using an article about the passing of a young man to draw attention to yourself…especially with daft, over the top comments like these…
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
NRL clubs fitness staff have been watching too many “Survivor “ shows. What’s become apparent is the Boot Camp methodology in the Pre season is fraught with danger - Many “fit”people have underlying health issues .
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I remember when the Toyota Cup existed, someone saying that the Under 20's trained at night to play during the day, while first graders trained during the day to play at night. Acclimatization is not given the consideration it requires.
SPM
Roar Rookie
Give players an off-season training schedule that keeps them at a standard that has them prepared for the beginning of preseason. If they choose not to follow it or do it then they are not professional. I used to train whilst on leave during my 20 plus year military career to ensure I was maintaining a professional standard of fitness for my job I know that the standard is different to an NRL football player but over the years I saw plenty on NRL teams using military training during preseason in part anyway and I witnessed many players loose there lunch and struggle with that training mentality and physically, in some cases it was clear too many beers had been caught up with during the off season. Ten weeks of neglect and over indulging will rarely be reversed by two weeks of acclimatisation training. I suggest training at different times of the day is wise as these teams will often play at these times
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
Apparently the "experts" know best over common sense. Look at Topine. Apparently - despite all the overwhelming evidence that wrestling increases the likelihood of a concussion - wrestling is a punishment that is apparently endorsed by experts. This despite literally every expert under the sun saying that wrestling, unless necessary for the profession of wrestling, should be avoided.
Cam
Roar Rookie
two-week return to play acclimatisation system for players after the off-season is a good idea and probably saves Keith Titmuss. Although I’m not sure how the clubs make this work with the RLPA having negotiated 10 weeks leave for players. The preseason will need to be shortened, leaving players potentially underprepared for the season and creating a scenario where there is a greater risk of injury. The lawyers must be rubbing their hands together.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
No winners here. Vale young man
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
It's a huge shame that it's taken for a player to pass away for an inquiry to happen. Don't get me wrong, I understand that sports teams handle their environment differently say to corporate or a trade environment, but the lack of common sense at times is baffling. That being said, hopefully we never see a situation like this even remotely occur again.
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
Change is coming