Turbo back at No.1 for Manly as Souths get boost
The Sea Eagles talisman had a stint at centre for the past five games but with Lehi Hopoate rested for "load management," the call was easy for coach Anthony Seibold.
Manly, in 10th position, must reverse a two-game losing streak in the national capital on Friday night, and Trbojevic is a match winner when he plays No.1.
"He's a world-class fullback, we've seen that for many years now. He's excited to be back at fullback and so are we," Manly winger Reuben Garrick said of the Trbojevic shift.
"(Hopoate's absence) is just load management. He's been up for so many weeks now."
South Sydney also received a boost in their away bottom-of-the-table showdown with Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Utility forward Brandon Smith (knee) returns on the bench as does hooker Peter Mamouzelos (concussion). Even better news for coach Wayne Bennett is the naming of Latrell Mitchell (quad) on the extended bench.
Brisbane welcome the return of prop Payne Haas from a skin infection for their away wrangle with Melbourne on Thursday night. The hosts have been boosted by the inclusion of Queensland forward Trent Loiero at lock after he was rested last week.
The Panthers travel to Newcastle on Friday night seeking a 10th win in a row and will have to do it without co-captain Isaah Yeo (shoulder), but they do get tough forward Scott Sorensen back on the bench from a leg injury.
The Knights' hopes of springing an upset have been boosted by NSW centre Bradman Best (leg) returning for his first game since round 20.
The Dolphins have named young gun Tevita Naufahu to replace star centre Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) in the home clash with the unchanged Sydney Roosters on Saturday night. Back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki also returns on the bench from a broken thumb.
Canterbury half Lachlan Galvin has been named against the Warriors for Saturday night's fixture against the Warriors at Accor Stadium. With Galvin battling hand and ankle issues, Toby Sexton has been included on the extended bench and is an option if he is ruled out.
The Warriors are hanging on to fourth position after two losses but their chances of a win have been enhanced with No.6 Chanel Harris-Tavita back from a calf injury. Prop James Fisher-Harris (calf) is also on the extended bench and could return.
The cavalry has ridden back in for battling North Queensland as prop Jason Taumalolo (calf), five-eighth Jake Clifford (quad), centre Viliami Vailea (foot) and bench forward Thomas Mikaele (knee) all return for the away trip to Parramatta on Sunday.
The Eels have promoted forward Kelma Tuilagi from NSW Cup and slotted Jordan Samrani into the centres to replace Sean Russell (broken hand).
St George Illawarra will field an unchanged lineup in the derby showdown with Cronulla on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks get prop Toby Rudolf back from a concussion absence.
Manly have pulled the trigger with their season on the line and moved Tom Trbojevic back to fullback for their crunch away clash with Canberra.
The Sea Eagles talisman had a stint at centre for the past five games but with Lehi Hopoate rested for "load management," the call was easy for coach Anthony Seibold.
Manly, in 10th position, must reverse a two-game losing streak in the national capital on Friday night, and Trbojevic is a match winner when he plays No.1.
"He's a world-class fullback, we've seen that for many years now. He's excited to be back at fullback and so are we," Manly winger Reuben Garrick said of the Trbojevic shift.
"(Hopoate's absence) is just load management. He's been up for so many weeks now."
South Sydney also received a boost in their away bottom-of-the-table showdown with Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Utility forward Brandon Smith (knee) returns on the bench as does hooker Peter Mamouzelos (concussion). Even better news for coach Wayne Bennett is the naming of Latrell Mitchell (quad) on the extended bench.
Brisbane welcome the return of prop Payne Haas from a skin infection for their away wrangle with Melbourne on Thursday night. The hosts have been boosted by the inclusion of Queensland forward Trent Loiero at lock after he was rested last week.
The Panthers travel to Newcastle on Friday night seeking a 10th win in a row and will have to do it without co-captain Isaah Yeo (shoulder), but they do get tough forward Scott Sorensen back on the bench from a leg injury.
The Knights' hopes of springing an upset have been boosted by NSW centre Bradman Best (leg) returning for his first game since round 20.
The Dolphins have named young gun Tevita Naufahu to replace star centre Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) in the home clash with the unchanged Sydney Roosters on Saturday night. Back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki also returns on the bench from a broken thumb.
Canterbury half Lachlan Galvin has been named against the Warriors for Saturday night's fixture against the Warriors at Accor Stadium. With Galvin battling hand and ankle issues, Toby Sexton has been included on the extended bench and is an option if he is ruled out.
The Warriors are hanging on to fourth position after two losses but their chances of a win have been enhanced with No.6 Chanel Harris-Tavita back from a calf injury. Prop James Fisher-Harris (calf) is also on the extended bench and could return.
The cavalry has ridden back in for battling North Queensland as prop Jason Taumalolo (calf), five-eighth Jake Clifford (quad), centre Viliami Vailea (foot) and bench forward Thomas Mikaele (knee) all return for the away trip to Parramatta on Sunday.
The Eels have promoted forward Kelma Tuilagi from NSW Cup and slotted Jordan Samrani into the centres to replace Sean Russell (broken hand).
St George Illawarra will field an unchanged lineup in the derby showdown with Cronulla on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks get prop Toby Rudolf back from a concussion absence.
Manly have pulled the trigger with their season on the line and moved Tom Trbojevic back to fullback for their crunch away clash with Canberra.
The Sea Eagles talisman had a stint at centre for the past five games but with Lehi Hopoate rested for "load management," the call was easy for coach Anthony Seibold.
Manly, in 10th position, must reverse a two-game losing streak in the national capital on Friday night, and Trbojevic is a match winner when he plays No.1.
"He's a world-class fullback, we've seen that for many years now. He's excited to be back at fullback and so are we," Manly winger Reuben Garrick said of the Trbojevic shift.
"(Hopoate's absence) is just load management. He's been up for so many weeks now."
South Sydney also received a boost in their away bottom-of-the-table showdown with Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Utility forward Brandon Smith (knee) returns on the bench as does hooker Peter Mamouzelos (concussion). Even better news for coach Wayne Bennett is the naming of Latrell Mitchell (quad) on the extended bench.
Brisbane welcome the return of prop Payne Haas from a skin infection for their away wrangle with Melbourne on Thursday night. The hosts have been boosted by the inclusion of Queensland forward Trent Loiero at lock after he was rested last week.
The Panthers travel to Newcastle on Friday night seeking a 10th win in a row and will have to do it without co-captain Isaah Yeo (shoulder), but they do get tough forward Scott Sorensen back on the bench from a leg injury.
The Knights' hopes of springing an upset have been boosted by NSW centre Bradman Best (leg) returning for his first game since round 20.
The Dolphins have named young gun Tevita Naufahu to replace star centre Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) in the home clash with the unchanged Sydney Roosters on Saturday night. Back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki also returns on the bench from a broken thumb.
Canterbury half Lachlan Galvin has been named against the Warriors for Saturday night's fixture against the Warriors at Accor Stadium. With Galvin battling hand and ankle issues, Toby Sexton has been included on the extended bench and is an option if he is ruled out.
The Warriors are hanging on to fourth position after two losses but their chances of a win have been enhanced with No.6 Chanel Harris-Tavita back from a calf injury. Prop James Fisher-Harris (calf) is also on the extended bench and could return.
The cavalry has ridden back in for battling North Queensland as prop Jason Taumalolo (calf), five-eighth Jake Clifford (quad), centre Viliami Vailea (foot) and bench forward Thomas Mikaele (knee) all return for the away trip to Parramatta on Sunday.
The Eels have promoted forward Kelma Tuilagi from NSW Cup and slotted Jordan Samrani into the centres to replace Sean Russell (broken hand).
St George Illawarra will field an unchanged lineup in the derby showdown with Cronulla on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks get prop Toby Rudolf back from a concussion absence.
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Courier-Mail
15 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
NRL news, updates: Wayne Bennett called out for sad act towards Lewis Dodd as Latrell Mitchell detail emerges
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. English playmaker Lewis Dodd has been ruthlessly dropped by Wayne Bennett once again, leading many to call out the veteran coach's actions. Dodd's time at Redfern has been difficult to say the least. Since joining the NRL club ahead of the 2025 season, Dodd has featured just six times, many of which he has come off the bench. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Offered a salary of $650,000 per-week, Dodd took a chance on the Rabbitohs, leaving England to play under Bennett. However, despite Souths' injury crisis - which Bennett says is the biggest he's ever seen - Dodd has barely been given a chance since arriving at the Rabbitohs. Bennett was asked about Dodd's future before a 60-14 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, and simply said he 'couldn't answer at the present moment' whether he would even see out his three-year contract, a hammer blow for the young half. Wayne Bennett has been slammed for his treatment of Lewis Dodd. (Photo by) And it only got worse for the 23-year-old on Tuesday as Bennett dropped him to the NSW Cup, instead opting for untested 21-year-old Ashton Ward. Bennett's decision has been met with swift criticism from the NRL world and saw former NRL player Joel Caine advised the youngster to leave the club to save his career. 'You've got to feel for Lewis Dodd. Just get out of there, mate,' Caine said on SEN. 'What a rollercoaster ride it's been for him. 'He came out here and won a World Club Challenge against Penrith (with St Helens), and was very close to man of the match. And now he's found himself behind Ashton Ward. Bennett is just not a fan of him.' Lewis Dodd has been dropped by Wayne Bennett again. (Photo by) Many fans were equally unimpressed. 'Lewis Dodd once again hard done by. Bennett has lost the plot,' one fan wrote on social media. 'Bennett has lost his mind,' another added. 'Dodd gone again. I give up at this point,' a third said. Crichton avoids sin bin for high shot Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 11.38% 0:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:21 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Crichton avoids sin bin for high shot more more May with a high shoulder. Stephen Crichton has collected Taylan...... ... more Could Wayne Bennett make a late switch? There is a chance Bennett may move fullback Jye Gray into the halves instead of Ward, if Latrell Mitchell – who was listed in the reserves in jersey No. 22 – is declared fit and ready to play against the Titans this weekend. Bennett could also return his superstar fullback to centre, in place of Tallis Duncan, who has been filling in as an outside back due to the Bunnies' extensive injury list. Latrell Mitchell is nearing his NRL return. (Photo by) Mitchell's return would be a huge boost for Souths and Bennett in his quest to avoid his first-ever wooden spoon. The Rabbitohs are equal on points with the Titans (16) after just six wins in 2025, but their inferior points differential means they are currently last on the NRL ladder with just six rounds to play. A loss to the Gold Coast on Sunday would make Bennett's Bunnies the favourite for the spoon, hence why this weekend's clash is largely being declared the 'Spoon-Bowl'. Originally published as Wayne Bennett called out for sad act towards star playmaker as Latrell Mitchell detail emerges
The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Here come the champions, but is it too late for anyone to stop the juggernaut? I think so
The definition of putting a cat among the pigeons is "to cause a disturbance or commotion, often by introducing something unexpected or controversial". By the close of Super Saturday, the term pay-TV types like to use to breathlessly describe three matches back-to-back to quench your thirst for the greatest game of all, the feline should be well and truly ensconced among our feathered friends. Penrith should have beaten Newcastle in the twilight zone (aka 6pm) game on Friday and Canterbury should have accounted for the Warriors in the dessert game on the Saturday menu. And the Panthers would have burst into the all-important top four. That is, unless there is an upset or, heaven forbid, two in those fixtures, but let's not contemplate that possibility because it bombs the narrative I'm trying to create here which, on form, really should become fact. How might the Panthers, winners of the past four premierships but who took a lot of time to get into gear this season, entering top-four territory affect the other three teams that appear to be fixtures there - Canberra, Melbourne and Canterbury? We'll get to that, but in the meantime the very fact Penrith are in a position to finally make that jump is all the evidence you need that the NRL is a tough competition with a long season in which anything can happen. After 12 rounds, the Panthers were last of 17 teams on the competition table with nine points from three wins, seven losses, a draw and a bye. But at least still in their favour, if they were capable of making a significant recovery, was the fact the competition was largely condensed. They were only three points outside of the top eight and - even though the prospect looked decidedly distant at the time - seven outside the top four. The Panthers haven't lost a game since, with their winning streak having stretched to eight games. After 16 rounds they had made it into the top eight, but the top four still looked worlds away - even for them. They were in eighth place on 17 points, still seven points outside of the top four, and a six-point gap had opened up between the fourth-placed Warriors and each of the fifth, sixth and seventh-placed teams (Brisbane, Cronulla and Sydney Roosters). But there were negative signs appearing for the Warriors. First, they lost their NSW State of Origin prop, Mitch Barnett, for the rest of the season due to injury in round 13. Then, most tellingly, their star halfback Luke Metcalf was subjected to the same fate in round 17. The Warriors are still desperately hanging in there in games, but they've lost four of their last six. Ahead of this round they were in fourth place on 30 points and had lost touch with the top three - Canberra on 36 and Melbourne and Canterbury each on 34 - and were only one point ahead of the fifth-placed Panthers. And the sixth and seventh-placed Brisbane and Cronulla were each only one point behind Penrith, with the eighth-placed Dolphins another two points back on 26. Whether Penrith are still in fifth place after Thursday night's opening game of round 23 between the Storm and Brisbane or overtaken by the Broncos it won't matter because the Panthers will get the chance to have their say on Friday. The worry for the Warriors is that there's actually an outside chance that if they don't right the ship at least slightly between now and the end of the regular season they could finish outside of the top eight, let alone the top four. It's unlikely, but the fact it's even a possibility is an indication of how difficult it becomes for a team to maintain momentum in this competition in the face of major setbacks. Their ordinary points for-and-against differential for a top-eight team of just plus-26 is another negative for them when you consider the ninth and 10-placed Roosters and Manly, each on 24 points, are still in the running for the finals. None of the current top-three teams are going to want to see Penrith finish alongside them in the top four. They wouldn't admit it and outwardly they'd say it's all about making sure their own game is as good as it can be. But the Panthers, with their four straight titles, have an fantastic aura about them which must have the potential to get inside the heads of opposition players. Melbourne, you would think, would not let it become a negative because being the regular title contenders that they are their belief would be strong. MORE NRL NEWS But what about the Raiders, a rebuilt team that represents an intoxicating mixture of the old and the new? Their less experienced players would face a massive challenge coming up against a juggernaut like Penrith if the Panthers hold their form going into the finals. And what about Canterbury? They're coming off a game in which they were blitzed by one of the competition battlers in Wests Tigers, who got the better of them with a higher level of desire, commitment and intensity. The Bulldogs, after their initial rise last season, went on to fold in the finals, leaving a question mark there. Getting over an in-form Penrith would be a huge task for them as well. The battle for those last few places in the finals could still be very much alive after this weekend's round or it could almost be a closed shop, depending on certain results. If Canberra beat Manly on Friday night and the Dolphins beat the Roosters on Saturday night there will be a four-point gap between eighth and ninth with just four rounds remaining. The definition of putting a cat among the pigeons is "to cause a disturbance or commotion, often by introducing something unexpected or controversial". By the close of Super Saturday, the term pay-TV types like to use to breathlessly describe three matches back-to-back to quench your thirst for the greatest game of all, the feline should be well and truly ensconced among our feathered friends. Penrith should have beaten Newcastle in the twilight zone (aka 6pm) game on Friday and Canterbury should have accounted for the Warriors in the dessert game on the Saturday menu. And the Panthers would have burst into the all-important top four. That is, unless there is an upset or, heaven forbid, two in those fixtures, but let's not contemplate that possibility because it bombs the narrative I'm trying to create here which, on form, really should become fact. How might the Panthers, winners of the past four premierships but who took a lot of time to get into gear this season, entering top-four territory affect the other three teams that appear to be fixtures there - Canberra, Melbourne and Canterbury? We'll get to that, but in the meantime the very fact Penrith are in a position to finally make that jump is all the evidence you need that the NRL is a tough competition with a long season in which anything can happen. After 12 rounds, the Panthers were last of 17 teams on the competition table with nine points from three wins, seven losses, a draw and a bye. But at least still in their favour, if they were capable of making a significant recovery, was the fact the competition was largely condensed. They were only three points outside of the top eight and - even though the prospect looked decidedly distant at the time - seven outside the top four. The Panthers haven't lost a game since, with their winning streak having stretched to eight games. After 16 rounds they had made it into the top eight, but the top four still looked worlds away - even for them. They were in eighth place on 17 points, still seven points outside of the top four, and a six-point gap had opened up between the fourth-placed Warriors and each of the fifth, sixth and seventh-placed teams (Brisbane, Cronulla and Sydney Roosters). But there were negative signs appearing for the Warriors. First, they lost their NSW State of Origin prop, Mitch Barnett, for the rest of the season due to injury in round 13. Then, most tellingly, their star halfback Luke Metcalf was subjected to the same fate in round 17. The Warriors are still desperately hanging in there in games, but they've lost four of their last six. Ahead of this round they were in fourth place on 30 points and had lost touch with the top three - Canberra on 36 and Melbourne and Canterbury each on 34 - and were only one point ahead of the fifth-placed Panthers. And the sixth and seventh-placed Brisbane and Cronulla were each only one point behind Penrith, with the eighth-placed Dolphins another two points back on 26. Whether Penrith are still in fifth place after Thursday night's opening game of round 23 between the Storm and Brisbane or overtaken by the Broncos it won't matter because the Panthers will get the chance to have their say on Friday. The worry for the Warriors is that there's actually an outside chance that if they don't right the ship at least slightly between now and the end of the regular season they could finish outside of the top eight, let alone the top four. It's unlikely, but the fact it's even a possibility is an indication of how difficult it becomes for a team to maintain momentum in this competition in the face of major setbacks. Their ordinary points for-and-against differential for a top-eight team of just plus-26 is another negative for them when you consider the ninth and 10-placed Roosters and Manly, each on 24 points, are still in the running for the finals. None of the current top-three teams are going to want to see Penrith finish alongside them in the top four. They wouldn't admit it and outwardly they'd say it's all about making sure their own game is as good as it can be. But the Panthers, with their four straight titles, have an fantastic aura about them which must have the potential to get inside the heads of opposition players. Melbourne, you would think, would not let it become a negative because being the regular title contenders that they are their belief would be strong. MORE NRL NEWS But what about the Raiders, a rebuilt team that represents an intoxicating mixture of the old and the new? Their less experienced players would face a massive challenge coming up against a juggernaut like Penrith if the Panthers hold their form going into the finals. And what about Canterbury? They're coming off a game in which they were blitzed by one of the competition battlers in Wests Tigers, who got the better of them with a higher level of desire, commitment and intensity. The Bulldogs, after their initial rise last season, went on to fold in the finals, leaving a question mark there. Getting over an in-form Penrith would be a huge task for them as well. The battle for those last few places in the finals could still be very much alive after this weekend's round or it could almost be a closed shop, depending on certain results. If Canberra beat Manly on Friday night and the Dolphins beat the Roosters on Saturday night there will be a four-point gap between eighth and ninth with just four rounds remaining. The definition of putting a cat among the pigeons is "to cause a disturbance or commotion, often by introducing something unexpected or controversial". By the close of Super Saturday, the term pay-TV types like to use to breathlessly describe three matches back-to-back to quench your thirst for the greatest game of all, the feline should be well and truly ensconced among our feathered friends. Penrith should have beaten Newcastle in the twilight zone (aka 6pm) game on Friday and Canterbury should have accounted for the Warriors in the dessert game on the Saturday menu. And the Panthers would have burst into the all-important top four. That is, unless there is an upset or, heaven forbid, two in those fixtures, but let's not contemplate that possibility because it bombs the narrative I'm trying to create here which, on form, really should become fact. How might the Panthers, winners of the past four premierships but who took a lot of time to get into gear this season, entering top-four territory affect the other three teams that appear to be fixtures there - Canberra, Melbourne and Canterbury? We'll get to that, but in the meantime the very fact Penrith are in a position to finally make that jump is all the evidence you need that the NRL is a tough competition with a long season in which anything can happen. After 12 rounds, the Panthers were last of 17 teams on the competition table with nine points from three wins, seven losses, a draw and a bye. But at least still in their favour, if they were capable of making a significant recovery, was the fact the competition was largely condensed. They were only three points outside of the top eight and - even though the prospect looked decidedly distant at the time - seven outside the top four. The Panthers haven't lost a game since, with their winning streak having stretched to eight games. After 16 rounds they had made it into the top eight, but the top four still looked worlds away - even for them. They were in eighth place on 17 points, still seven points outside of the top four, and a six-point gap had opened up between the fourth-placed Warriors and each of the fifth, sixth and seventh-placed teams (Brisbane, Cronulla and Sydney Roosters). But there were negative signs appearing for the Warriors. First, they lost their NSW State of Origin prop, Mitch Barnett, for the rest of the season due to injury in round 13. Then, most tellingly, their star halfback Luke Metcalf was subjected to the same fate in round 17. The Warriors are still desperately hanging in there in games, but they've lost four of their last six. Ahead of this round they were in fourth place on 30 points and had lost touch with the top three - Canberra on 36 and Melbourne and Canterbury each on 34 - and were only one point ahead of the fifth-placed Panthers. And the sixth and seventh-placed Brisbane and Cronulla were each only one point behind Penrith, with the eighth-placed Dolphins another two points back on 26. Whether Penrith are still in fifth place after Thursday night's opening game of round 23 between the Storm and Brisbane or overtaken by the Broncos it won't matter because the Panthers will get the chance to have their say on Friday. The worry for the Warriors is that there's actually an outside chance that if they don't right the ship at least slightly between now and the end of the regular season they could finish outside of the top eight, let alone the top four. It's unlikely, but the fact it's even a possibility is an indication of how difficult it becomes for a team to maintain momentum in this competition in the face of major setbacks. Their ordinary points for-and-against differential for a top-eight team of just plus-26 is another negative for them when you consider the ninth and 10-placed Roosters and Manly, each on 24 points, are still in the running for the finals. None of the current top-three teams are going to want to see Penrith finish alongside them in the top four. They wouldn't admit it and outwardly they'd say it's all about making sure their own game is as good as it can be. But the Panthers, with their four straight titles, have an fantastic aura about them which must have the potential to get inside the heads of opposition players. Melbourne, you would think, would not let it become a negative because being the regular title contenders that they are their belief would be strong. MORE NRL NEWS But what about the Raiders, a rebuilt team that represents an intoxicating mixture of the old and the new? Their less experienced players would face a massive challenge coming up against a juggernaut like Penrith if the Panthers hold their form going into the finals. And what about Canterbury? They're coming off a game in which they were blitzed by one of the competition battlers in Wests Tigers, who got the better of them with a higher level of desire, commitment and intensity. The Bulldogs, after their initial rise last season, went on to fold in the finals, leaving a question mark there. Getting over an in-form Penrith would be a huge task for them as well. The battle for those last few places in the finals could still be very much alive after this weekend's round or it could almost be a closed shop, depending on certain results. If Canberra beat Manly on Friday night and the Dolphins beat the Roosters on Saturday night there will be a four-point gap between eighth and ninth with just four rounds remaining.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Successful or not, NRL court cases shine spotlight on player safety
Struggling to comprehend his downward spiral after a life-altering training session now the subject of a multi-million dollar Supreme Court action, Lloyd Perrett was allegedly told there was nothing wrong with him. 'The plaintiff's mental health deteriorated by reason of his concern at his physical deterioration and how that would affect his future while at the same time being told by the Club's personnel that there was nothing wrong with him and that nothing could be done about it,' according to Perrett's statement of claim, lodged with the Supreme Court on Monday. Given he has just launched a legal action, Perrett has most certainly done something about it. As to whether there is something wrong with Perrett, and whether former employer Manly was negligent during a contentious pre-season workout at the Narrabeen Sports Complex on November 6, 2017, that is the $5 million question. Perrett claims he suffered exertional heatstroke, heat stress-induced seizure and psychiatric injury after participating in running sessions in which he was deprived of water. The former Bulldogs prop said he was never the same player or person after being in 'a comatose state for two days', and revealed he had considered taking his own life after his career was cut short prematurely. It's not the only league-related matter before the Supreme Court. Former Canterbury forward Jackson Topine is suing the Bulldogs, claiming he was subjected to 'assault' when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session last year. The Bulldogs have vowed to vigorously defend the matter. Meanwhile, over in the UK, more than 1000 rugby union and rugby league players have launched a concussion class action. Such lawsuits have raised fears that it's only a matter of time before doctors and lawyers kill off rugby league as we know it. However, it's important to distinguish between the concussion cases – which are facing their own challenges – and alleged negligence off the field. Only last month, the judge presiding over the concussion class action in the UK blasted the lawyer bringing the claim, accusing him of a 'complete misunderstanding of his responsibilities' and having 'a problem with the English language.' Senior Master Jeremy Cook said that medical records were missing in about 90 per cent of cases, in a huge setback for the plaintiffs. Closer to home, the most famous concussion case was brought by former Newcastle Knights winger James McManus. After seeking a $1 million payout, McManus said he was 'broken' after the NRL in 2021 stated the matter 'has been resolved in the Knights' favour.' The Australian Rugby League Commission has also withstood a legal challenge launched by premiership-winning prop Michael Greenfield over its handling of shoulder charges.
