Former NRL forward Lloyd Perrett is suing his old club, the Manly Sea Eagles, after collapsing from heat stroke during a pre-season training session in November 2017.

The 24-year-old prop, who signed a $500,000-a-year contract with Manly in 2016, alleges that he and 30 other players were forced through intense drills at the Narrabeen Sports Complex without being allowed water breaks. According to the claim, then-performance coach Dan Ferris ordered there would be no hydration despite “very warm conditions.”

Perrett says he collapsed during the third of three 2km time trials, waking up in Mona Vale Hospital with a diagnosis of severe heat stroke. Represented by Carter Capner Law, director Peter Carter said the session “cut short what was a very promising career” and that potential damages are “well into the millions of dollars.”

Despite attempting a comeback, Perrett only played limited games in 2018 and 2019 before his NRL career ended. His claim alleges multiple breaches of duty of care by Manly officials, including exposing him to exertional heat stress and failing to monitor his health.

The claim seeks compensation primarily for loss of income and the career earnings Perrett could reasonably have expected. Since the incident, the NRL has implemented new welfare rules to prevent heat stress and ensure player safety in high-temperature conditions.

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news.com.au – NRL star Lloyd Perrett sues Manly Sea Eagles over heat stroke incident