1 day Ago By Adrian Proszenko
Former Manly prop Lloyd Perrett has taken the first step towards a potential legal action against the club after requesting documents relating to the “serious injuries” he alleges to have suffered in a training session that cruelled his career and health. Perrett’s plight first came to light in May , when it was revealed he had engaged Brisbane legal firm Carter Capner to act on his behalf. The 29-year-old says he collapsed and had a seizure during a gruelling session in 2017 during which he was deprived of water.
Perrett claimed he has never physically or mentally recovered from the ordeal, which resulted in him becoming comatose at the time and suffering from ongoing complications. The former Bulldog managed to play in the NRL again – his last match was for the Sea Eagles in the 2019 finals – but he was never the same player or person. Carter Capner sent a letter to the Sea Eagles late last week – obtained by this masthead – requesting preliminary discovery material that will help to determine whether a case should proceed.
The materials requested include: The letter to Manly states: “Our client believes that he may have a legal cause of action against you for compensatory damages for his injuries arising from your negligence by way of: Lloyd Perrett playing for the Sea Eagles in 2019. Credit: NRL Photos (a) requiring the training squad to conduct three consecutive 2 km time trials in quick succession in hot, sunny and muggy conditions; (b) requiring the training squad to drink no water or other fluids during the time trials; and (c) failing to monitor the health of members of the squad during the course of such training.” Manly was given until September 26 to hand over the materials voluntarily, with Perrett’s legal team indicating they may take the matter to the Federal Court of Australia if the club doesn’t comply.
In an interview in May, Perrett said he decided to act after the coronial inquest into the death of former Manly player Keith Titmuss. The inquest heard the likely cause of Titmuss’ death was exertional heatstroke. “It’s been an option for a long time but I avoided it because I don’t want to look like someone who is trying to get money,” Perrett said at the time.
“I’m not trying to get rich, nothing like that. “I spoke to an occupational therapist and they said it’s survivor’s guilt. I was feeling really sad and upset [about Titmuss].
Not only did he not survive and I did, but he was my teammate and I knew him. He was only 18 years old when I was there ..
. it was like a little brother type of thing. “I feel I need to do this.
It’s not about money, it’s not about me. I put my ego aside because I know people are going to tease me, they already are. They’re saying I’m just a wash-up, I’m not good enough, that I’m trying to get money and all that.
“But it’s about player safety. The RLPA [Rugby League Players’ Association] reached out to me and said the same thing: if it means a better outcome and better conditions for players for the game as a whole, then I’m all for it.” None of the staff who oversaw the session in question remain at the Sea Eagles.
The club declined to comment. Perrett said he was taking the action to honour Titmuss and Benkato “Kato” Ottio, a PNG international who died during a training session. The likely cause of Ottio’s death was exertional heatstroke.
“Out of the three, I’m the only one who survived,” Perrett said. “I feel responsible not just for those boys and their honour, but for future players. Young guys who will do whatever it takes to be an NRL player to impress their coach and win the trust of their teammates.
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