Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:13 pm  

Worrying interview on ITV News just now with Francis Maloney about how he and 44 other ex RL players are taking action against the RL regarding lack of protection against the mental health problems that they are now experiencing following excessive instances of concussion. I automatically thought about TJ. Dread to think that this could become his ultimate fate.

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:24 pm  

Ultimately this could take the organisation under and is why the ridiculous rulings at the start of the year we're so prevalent.

Be interesting to see how the legal proceedings go

[PopTart]

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:49 pm  

I feel for him but I don't see it as the RFLs fault. You can't just turn back time and say they should have done something. No one knew the consequences then.

If they don't do what they can now, they'll be in a lot of trouble.

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:13 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I feel for him but I don't see it as the RFLs fault. You can't just turn back time and say they should have done something. No one knew the consequences then.

If they don't do what they can now, they'll be in a lot of trouble.

It comes down to 3 things
What the RFL knew
When they knew it
Did they have a duty to know more sooner than they did

In the NFL, a Class Act was pending and the NFL came to a “No Blame” out of court settlement with the families. It cost them Billions in payments to former players and their families including bereaved relatives. They also had to set up a fund to compensate future victims of CTE

The FA, Premier League and IRB are a long way down the road to reaching a similar kind of agreement with their respective ex player and families.

Despite being early adopters of HIA rules, concussion protocols and pre cognitive testing, Rugby League have been very slow to deal with the threat of potential legal proceedings from affected players. Unfortunately they’ve missed the boat in terms of joining in with the other big sports and they’ve left themselves and the sport wide open and in danger.

Let me get this point straight though, I don’t blame the ex players one bit

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:19 pm  

Yet we have Paul Gallen not content with playing over 350 games for club and country , then hangs his boots up and gets the boxing gloves on . No rhyme no reason why some get it early years without any additional head trauma and others as your truly gets battered from pillar to post and still got all his marbles .

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:22 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I feel for him but I don't see it as the RFLs fault. You can't just turn back time and say they should have done something. No one knew the consequences then.

If they don't do what they can now, they'll be in a lot of trouble.

Getting players to sign documentation stating that they agree to the risks of developing life changing injuries is a good starting point

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:26 pm  

The onset of CTE is something like 8 X more likely in people who’ve played a contact sport like Rugby Union Rugby League, NFL, Football & Boxing.
There are enough test subjects and cases to draw the conclusion that it’s these types of sports and their nature that cause the condition.
I’d hazard a guess that should he get a CT scan even Paul Galen will have it to some degree but yes you’re right some are luckier than others

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:28 pm  

Kettykat wrote:

Getting players to sign documentation stating that they agree to the risks of developing life changing injuries is a good starting point

Possibly, the sport would probably have to comprehensively educate every player about the potential for this type of brain injury or condition to develop as a result of playing the game and then ask them if they still wanted to play it.

In the case of Amateur players and Scholarship lads signing for a club at 14 years old Id guess that most parents will say no thanks once they see the statistics and fully understand the dangers

Re: Francis Maloney : Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:47 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

Possibly, the sport would probably have to comprehensively educate every player about the potential for this type of brain injury or condition to develop as a result of playing the game.

I’m certainly not belittling anyone with this type of injuries,I know first hand with a close family member how traumatic it is not only for the individual but all closely related . But just as I ended up with new knees and deafness ,plus my fair share of coal dust which will in all probability shorten my life expectancy I certainly wasn’t told before I started my career that I will probably end up like this and get given short thrift when going in front of any medical examiner with a shrug of their shoulders and be told its occupational hazards of the mining industry . Surely any players making their first heavy contact are going to think , this will certainly affect me later in life, I certainly did after my first shift ,I’d hazard at a guess there aren’t many old players walking about without joint problems at the very least . The big difference is lots of players are well payed and enjoy all the trappings that it brings and id hazard at a guess if offered the choice of playing with the risks involved or taking a 9-5 on on a regular wage , most wouldn’t change a thing

Re: Francis Maloney : Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:20 am  

Kettykat wrote:

I’m certainly not belittling anyone with this type of injuries,I know first hand with a close family member how traumatic it is not only for the individual but all closely related . But just as I ended up with new knees and deafness ,plus my fair share of coal dust which will in all probability shorten my life expectancy I certainly wasn’t told before I started my career that I will probably end up like this and get given short thrift when going in front of any medical examiner with a shrug of their shoulders and be told its occupational hazards of the mining industry . Surely any players making their first heavy contact are going to think , this will certainly affect me later in life, I certainly did after my first shift ,I’d hazard at a guess there aren’t many old players walking about without joint problems at the very least . The big difference is lots of players are well payed and enjoy all the trappings that it brings and id hazard at a guess if offered the choice of playing with the risks involved or taking a 9-5 on on a regular wage , most wouldn’t change a thing

I don't blame former players for exploring what they may or may not be entitled to.
But, as you outline, RL and many sports are not unique in health threatening problems that rear up in later life.
I started my working life as an joiner, before I went on to do other things, and such things as dust masks were not exactly encouraged or seen where I worked. I was told a few years ago I have asbestos on my right lung - it's dormant and doing nothing but always at the back of my mind. I cut by hand, miles of the stuff during my joinery career.
Because it is not likely to be a threat, (hopefully) I've also been told that I can't claim anything.
I know that where asbestos has caused major health problems, and death, there have been many claims, so I suppose it is inevitable that the claims we now see from former sportsmen are being pursued for their particular type of injury/illness sustained in the former career.