Former NSW Origin winger James McManus sues Newcastle Knights over concussions

[mave]

Prepared to get flamed

If the game results in players having serious illness / conditions the rest of their lives (all for our entertainment) then maybe the game does need to change.

I am just not sure how supporters can judge the impact on players

No-one is holding a gun to anyone's head to play rugby league.
Young men think they are invicible, I get this...but choices have consequences.

Im comfortable with changes to head knocks, automatic 4 weeks off , whatever it needs to be....but Im not cool with retrospective sueing.

Whats next ? Melanoma court cases because players played in the sun in the 80's ?

 

[Jerry1]

get ready for NTRL 'National Touch Rugby League' ...

This.... Unfortunately this is where we are heading... The game is going to die.. Nothing anybody can do to stop it..

 

[nightster]

then there could be .... Octagon Football !!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

So predictable. The same woeful outcry as when the game first started getting serious about stiff arms and elbows, which used to be standard. "Oh dear, they are making it soft!"
We don't even know what McManus's claim is about yet.
We do know - now - that injuries to the brain, unlike some other injuries, can have serious long term repercussions.
And yep, in the USA where the concussion studies were conducted, I see the NFL now is such a pansy sport they barely touch each other. Not!

 

[Rodo]

McManus said in this article from the Sydney Morning Herald that he "hopes his historic concussion case will result in better protection for players suffering head knocks in the future."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...p-protect-future-players-20170225-gul875.html

So it is likely that the legal action taken by McManus will only improve the game by improving player safety and welfare and making the NRL more accountable so they take the right action to protect players against brain damage.

You don't want to get to a point where most retired players have some form of brain damage. Then you will find that parents will not allow their kids to play the game. Which would then lead to the death of rugby league.

 

[wombatgc]

It just seems these days that society is always looking for someone else to blame.

Couldn't agree more.
Don't like his chances of keeping his business development job with the club.

 

[Snake]

Have you played? Honestly, I'd not change many things from growing up, but living with endless chronic injuries is bloody awful and I wouldn't wish it on the stupidest person I've never met.

When it comes to the game, you play every second you can no matter how bad you're hurt. It takes more guts to acknowledge you're really hurt and take time off than it does to play through the injuries. In this case perhaps the club doctor should have shown a little more sack and enforced an extra week or two off: then this court case may not have happened.

I'm betting there was a little pressure applied behind the scenes to try and keep their best players on the field no matter what the situation... and it's come back to bite.

THe point I'm trying to make is that each person is responsible for themselves at the end of the day. If the head knocks are a problem, don't play, retire etc. don't turn around and sue an organisation because you decided to play and got hurt.

It's not a complex argument. It's simple...worried about head knock? Sit on the sideline.

 

[KOMORI]

THe point I'm trying to make is that each person is responsible for themselves at the end of the day. If the head knocks are a problem, don't play, retire etc. don't turn around and sue an organisation because you decided to play and got hurt.

It's not a complex argument. It's simple...worried about head knock? Sit on the sideline.

Funnily enough I both agree with and understand you point!

The point I'm making is that it's not that easy. When you're playing you don't want to let anyone down and you'll play busted. I had countless needles to keep playing and damn well knew I was doing damage... but that little voice in the back of your head? That's pride, f**kin' wit ya..

The real problem with concussions in particular is that they can be cumulative. I got knocked out once, and once only in 20 years and never ever had a concussion test, but I copped a LOT of severe head knocks (I had to get both retinas reattached after I quit) and got to the point where impacts were nothing more than a loud noise and a white flash with no pain at all. I simply didn't feel a thing.. then I realized I had no idea who we'd just played or what the score was and got a little concerned..

I do not want to see football changed. But for the same reason I was not opposed to the shoulder charge being banned (it's always been a dog shot in my opinion) I feel there should be more done to protect the health of players post football. Concussions leave a lasting mark: I still suffer from depression and anxiety and insomnia and mood swings. Apparently (and I've only learnt this recently) these are all the hallmarks of post concussive damage and they are not fun.

We will see how this pans out I guess..

 

[Fluffy]

If a Professional footballer can sue the club then surely the ADF is in trouble

 

[Rodo]

Couldn't agree more.
Don't like his chances of keeping his business development job with the club.

It looks like he should keep his job according to the article I linked to above-

"He's a good bloke, he's given us great service and we will continue to employ him," McGuigan said.

"We have no axe to grind against him because he is seeking some compensation from us for things he or his lawyers didn't think we did right."

 

[wombatgc]

It looks like he should keep his job according to the article I linked to above-

"He's a good bloke, he's given us great service and we will continue to employ him," McGuigan said.

"We have no axe to grind against him because he is seeking some compensation from us for things he or his lawyers didn't think we did right."

The backing from a boss in the NRL can only mean one thing.....Gonski!

 

[ricardo]

Happy for stronger penalties in relation to "contact with the head" offences.

I've met plenty of older footy players who played in the tougher years and many are worse for wear.

It won't change my love for the sport one iota.

 

[Mals]

not sure what angle you are taking with that comment?

At the end of the day if you choose to play a contact sport at any age, you have to be responsible for that decision. He willingly competed. It just seems these days that society is always looking for someone else to blame. The world is not a perfectly measured and calculated environment and at the end of the day, even if you are in hospital being treated for cancer, you are at the mercy of the universe.

Even the Doctor treating you is just a person who read a heap of books and wrote a ton of essays and was handed a piece of paper with a rubber stamp...**** happens.

I sued a doctor, surgeon and hospital for negligence and settled out of court. I imagine James is doing the same thing in this instance (with the Knights) because his advisers believe he has a case.

 

[jbb/james]

Im sure the nrl interchange rules and bench numbers will come into question somewhere along the way.