Former Manly Sea Eagles prop Lloyd Perrett has launched a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against his old club, claiming a “gruelling” 2017 pre-season training session left him with permanent injuries and forced an early retirement.

According to the claim filed in the NSW Supreme Court, players were ordered to run three successive 2km time trials in “very warm” conditions at Narrabeen Sports Complex with no water breaks allowed. Perrett collapsed unconscious during the third run and later woke in hospital with severe heat stroke, remaining in care for several days.

Carter Capner Law, acting on Perrett’s behalf, argues the club breached its duty of care by exposing players to unnecessary risks, depriving them of water, and failing to prevent injury. Director Peter Carter said damages could run “well into the millions” given Perrett’s lucrative $500,000-a-year contract and the promising career he lost.

Perrett, who debuted for Canterbury in 2014 before moving to Manly, described the ordeal as leaving him “seconds off death.” Despite attempting a comeback in 2018 and 2019, he never returned to the NRL level.

The case follows similar duty of care claims in rugby league, highlighting growing scrutiny on training practices and player welfare.

Full story / source: HR Leader – ‘Seconds off death’: Retired NRL player sues former club over ‘outlandish training’