The Sydney Morning Herald highlights how recent and ongoing legal actions are sharpening focus on player welfare in rugby league. Former Sea Eagles prop Lloyd Perrett has lodged a $5 million Supreme Court claim alleging he suffered exertional heat stroke, a heat-stress–induced seizure, and psychiatric injury during a November 6, 2017 pre-season session at Narrabeen where he says players were deprived of water.

Perrett contends the session left him in a comatose state for two days, ending his NRL career and sparking long-term mental health struggles. His case, brought by Carter Capner Law, alleges breaches of duty of care and a failure to provide a safe training environment. Director Peter Carter said potential damages are “well into the millions” given Perrett’s $500,000-per-year deal and career prospects.

The SMH piece places Perrett’s claim alongside other matters: ex-Bulldogs forward Jackson Topine’s action alleging “assault” during a mass wrestling punishment, and the UK’s broad concussion class action. It also references the coronial inquest into Keith Titmuss, which found the 2020 session in which he died was “more likely than not inappropriate” and recommended stronger heat-risk protocols (graduated return-to-training, individualised programs, and medical standby for high-risk sessions).

While concussion litigation faces hurdles, the SMH notes alleged off-field negligence cases – like Perrett’s – are intensifying scrutiny on clubs’ duty of care. As one former player put it, even without a courtroom win, these cases “put a microscope” on risks and improve communication and safeguards around player welfare.

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SMH – Successful or not, NRL court cases shine spotlight on player safety