Latest news with #NorthQueenslandCowboys
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Aspiring footy star Riley Mansfield is forced to retire due to the savage effects of head knocks - and he's only 15
A promising teenage rugby league player from Queensland has been forced into early retirement due to repeated concussions, prompting renewed calls to delay tackling in junior sport. Riley Mansfield, 15, was competing in Queensland's elite Dolphins Cup competition when he sustained a series of head injuries that left him unable to attend school for weeks. Riley, who had dreams of playing for the North Queensland Cowboys like his idol Johnathan Thurston, said watching football now is bittersweet. 'I wish I could play every time I watch the footy on TV. I want to be back out there,' he told ABC Sport. His mother, Kristy, described the severity of her son's symptoms following his final concussion in April. 'He was suffering significant symptoms - very light sensitive, noise sensitive, severe headaches - and he's got a pretty strong pain threshold,' she said. 'It took us about six weeks to gradually introduce him back into normal activities. That meant he wasn't able to do school for a period of time.' After consultations with neurologists in Brisbane, Riley was advised not to return to contact sport for at least five years. For the Mansfield family, it's a painful case of déjà vu. Riley's father, Andrew, suffered a broken neck on the same football field in Mackay when he was 15. 'That was my last game of footy,' Andrew Mansfield said. 'I was the width of a piece of hair from never walking again.' The Mansfield family's story has reignited debate around tackling in youth sport, particularly in light of growing research into the long-term impact of repeated head trauma. Griffith University lecturer Dr Joel Garrett has warned that children should not be involved in tackling until at least age 12. 'One of the big reasons is they have a larger head and weaker neck muscles, which puts them at greater risk of some of those rotational forces,' he said. Dr Garrett explained that children between the ages of eight and 12 are at a critical stage in cognitive and motor development. 'An eight-year-old may struggle with the rapid judgements required to execute a safe tackle. 'By 12, they may have developed the ability to make those last-second adjustments. 'We're not saying 'no tackling,' but there needs to be a structured plan leading into it.' In response to growing concerns, the NRL implemented its Player Development Framework in 2024 to improve safety in junior competitions. Under the changes, children aged six and under play League Tag, a non-contact version of rugby league. For under-sevens, the season is split into two halves - beginning with League Tag and transitioning into tackle later in the year. At senior levels, the NRL has strengthened its concussion protocols. Stand-down periods, independent medical assessments, and increased penalties for breaches are now standard. In 2023, the league launched a brain health initiative to fund research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. CTE has been diagnosed in several former players, including Paul Green, Quentin Pongia and Steve Folkes, who were found to have the condition after their deaths. Mario Fenech, another former NRL star, has publicly detailed his struggle with cognitive decline believed to be the result of repeated concussions during his playing career. The disease, which can only be diagnosed posthumously, causes symptoms including memory loss, aggression, and confusion.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Concussion forces teen rugby player to retire amid tackling age warning
Riley Mansfield grew up wanting to play for the North Queensland Cowboys like his idol Johnathan Thurston. He was on all the right pathways, playing in the elite Dolphins Cup competition in Queensland. But the promising teenage footballer has hung up his footy boots and retired, aged 15, following repeated concussions. "I want to be back out there." Riley's mum, Kristy, said his head knocks were so bad, her son spent weeks vomiting and feeling sick afterwards. "He was suffering significant kinds of symptoms, so very, very light sensitive, noise sensitive, severe headaches and he's got a pretty strong pain threshold," she said. "It took us about six weeks to gradually introduce him back into normal activities, so that meant he wasn't able to do school for a period of time. "As a mum it's been hard because just knowing how much your son loves football and playing and he's such an active kid." An expert is now warning children should not be involved in tackling in sport until they are at least 12, after releasing joint research last month. "One of the big reasons is they have obviously a larger head and weaker neck muscles, which puts them at a little bit more risk of some of those rotational linear forces," said Griffith University lecturer in exercise science and physiology Joel Garrett. "Plus, with that developing brain they potentially may be at greater risk of [harm to] long-term brain growth and development as well," Dr Garrett said. So why the age of 12? "Around the ages of eight to 12 is a sweet spot for children's cognitive and motor development," Dr Garrett said. "An eight-year-old, for instance, may struggle with the rapid judgements required to align their shoulder and brace their neck properly when tackling a moving player. "By the age of 12 they may have the ability to make those last-second changes if need be and execute a good tackle that's both safe for them but also the person they're tackling." But Dr Garrett said delaying full-body contact — such as tackling — in junior sport remained controversial. "We don't want it just to be like, 'No tackling,'" he said. "We firmly believe that we need a progression to that and having a really structured plan." For the Mansfield family from Rockhampton in rugby league heartland in central Queensland, Riley's latest concussion in April was a case of deja vu. Riley's dad, Andrew, suffered a broken neck on the same football field in Mackay at the same age of 15. "That was my last game of footy," Andrew said. "I was the width of a piece of hair to not walking ever again." After consultation with a team of neurologists in Brisbane, Riley has been told not to return to contact sport for five years. Kristy said she hoped that all sporting codes across the country continued to shift attitudes regarding concussion through education and awareness like rugby league. "Riley's grown up with footy and it's great to see that the sport is taking it seriously and ensuring that the players are taking the time out they need to be able to recover before they go back and play again," she said. With Riley's dreams of playing in the NRL are over at the tender age of 15, the talented teenager has turned his focus to another sport. Every weekend, Riley hits the softball diamonds, along with his parents, and he has already earned state and national team selection. "He's got a massive future [in softball] and can whack a golf ball too … but still can't out drive Dad yet," Andrew said.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Johnathan Thurston in State of Origin drama as NSW forward's ban emerges
Johnathan Thurston's feud with Roosters forward Spencer Leniu is about to get another chapter. The Queensland State of Origin legend will cross paths with the NSW livewire as the teams prepare for the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28. 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? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The beef between Thurston and Leniu has been put back in the spotlight with QRL boss Ben Ikin on Monday saying he expects the Maroons pack to target the NSW prop because of his actions towards the North Queensland Cowboys icon. Leniu and Thurston had two dramatic confrontations during the Roosters' 26-16 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium last month with the confrontations reportedly stemming from the racism scandal that involved the former Penrith prop in last year's season-opening Las Vegas weekend. Thurston at the time took a public stand in condemning Leniu over the alleged 'monkey' comment he made to Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam. The situation exploded when Leniu reportedly called Thurston a 'f***wit' after coming from the field in the 55th minute of play. The North Queensland Cowboys grand final hero was commentating in his role with Channel 9. Nine Newspapers reported the drama took another turn when Thurston is reported to have approached Leniu to ask the NSW State of Origin forward what the problem was. It was in that moment that Leniu is reported to have responded by calling the Queensland State of Origin legend a 'f***ing c***'. Thurston reportedly responded: 'What's your problem?' Ikin has now told The Sydney Morning Herald the incident has not been forgotten by members of the Queensland camp. 'JT is one of the most beloved figures in Queensland, and I've no doubt that everyone who'll wear the Maroons jersey next Wednesday saw what happened at Suncorp Stadium that night,' Ikin said. 'Will Spencer Leniu be a target? I think so, just not in the way he expects. But then again, I'm not the coach.' Leniu and superstar Blues teammate Latrell Mitchell informed the press on Monday they will not be speaking to reporters in the build up to the game. Mitchell and Leniu took part in team photos as the Blues kicked off their 10-day camp at the NSW Centre of Excellence in Sydney, but the pair declined to speak to the media. The SMH reports it was NSW Origin officials that made the call to pull Leniu out of interviews with concerns his comments could inflame his situation with Thurston. Leniu has been on a self-imposed media ban and has not conducted any formal media interviews since the Thurston incident. NSW coach Laurie Daley told Fox League's NRL 360 he doesn't expect Leniu to do any interviews. 'I don't think they will,' Daley said. 'Obviously they want to focus in on their football. And I think people know the storylines that people want to bring up. 'So there's no reason to inflame any situation that these guys might find themselves in. 'It's better off to keep them away and focus on their football. Hopefully they play well Wednesday week.' Thurston at the time called Leniu's behaviour 'overly aggressive'. The NRL did not take any action at the time because Thurston did not make an official complaint. After news reports about Leniu's actions after the game emerged Leniu then took another swipe at Thurston on social media. In a post on Instagram, Leniu denied approaching Thurston and launched a fresh attack at the Maroons great. 'I never wanted to talk to JT. He kept trying to come speak to me,' part of the Leniu's caption said. 'Lad (I don't care) that you hate me for what I did. But don't come up to me asking me questions like we're (all good).' 'Don't be two face (sic). Hate me lad I'm 'eetswa' (sweet) with that. But don't be fake. 'I hate fake people.' Thurston was not the only person to cop a drive by from Leniu with Code Sports reporting Broncos hooker Billy Walters was also snubbed by the NSW State of Origin prop. According to Code, Leniu called Walters a 'snitch' before walking on. Walters had been at dummy half when Leniu used the slur 'monkey' while barking at Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam during their Las Vegas clash last year.
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Slater names three rookies for Origin opener
Queensland coach Billy Slater has named three debutants for the State of Origin series opener after a chaotic weekend of injuries forced several changes for the Maroons who are looking to win back the shield after last year's 2-1 defeat. Roosters rookie Robert Toia is the bolter in the squad, with the 20-year-old picked after just 10 NRL appearances this season after finally getting the chance to play following several He'll start at right centre, with Slater also picking Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero to make their Queensland debuts off the bench. 'Things change all the time and we had some things happen last night that were out of our control,' Slater said. 'You wait until that selection time, you get all those health reports and you pick Queensland's best team, and that's what we've felt we've done. 'Robert Toia, I've been watching him closely – not just the stuff he's been doing with the football – but he's got good principles in his game. 'I know his coach at the Roosters has got a really high opinion of that part of his game, and that phone call last night is one I'll remember for a long time. 'I think he's a world-class centre. Although he's only 10 games into his NRL career, he's been through a bit of adversity.' It was a costly weekend for the Maroons, with Origin hopefuls Tom Gilbert (pec), Murray Taulagi (calf) and Selwyn Cobbo (wrist) all ruled out, while Reece Walsh is also unavailable as the superstar fullback continues to recover from a knee issue. Daly Cherry-Evans will captain the side despite not being at his best for the Sea Eagles, with the veteran halfback to partner the returning Cameron Munster who missed last year's series through injury. Tom Dearden will play the utility role off the bench, with Jeremiah Nanai to start in the back row after finding form following his shock demotion to reserve grade earlier this season. Kurt Mann, Jesse Arthars and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki are all part of the extended squad. 1. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights) 2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm) 3. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters) 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) 5. Valentine Holmes (St George Illawarra Dragons) 6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm) 7. Daly Cherry-Evans © (Manly Sea Eagles) 8. Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans) 9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm) 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans) 11. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys) 12. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys) 13. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos) 14. Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys) 15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters) 16. Beau Fermor (Gold Coast Titans) 17. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm) 18. Kurt Mann (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 19. Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos) 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL clubs face fines for ball-squirting trainers
Penrith Panthers players. Photo: photosport Two National Rugby League teams are facing A$10,000 ($NZ10,900) fines as punishment for on-pitch trainers dousing the ball with water from drinks bottles to make it harder to catch during a match in Townsville last weekend. Reigning champions Penrith Panthers and North Queensland Cowboys were locked up at 30-30 last Saturday after the regulation 80 minutes, sending the game into "golden point" extra time. Panthers trainer Shane Elford, who also serves as the club's general manager of football, was spotted by the referee squirting the ball with liquid from a drinks bottle before his team kicked off the first extra period. Another ball was brought onto the field, but it later transpired that home trainer Mitch Dunn had been spotted by officials doing the same thing before another kickoff during extra time. The NRL on Friday served the clubs breach notices, giving them five days to respond or accept the fines along with two-game bans for the offending trainers. "During the match, trainers from both clubs were observed squirting liquid onto the football prior to kick restarts of play, in contravention of the NRL Rules," the league said in a statement. "The NRL has ... reminded all clubs about the limitations of the roles of trainers on match days." In the event, neither team was able to score during the additional 10 minutes and the match finished in a draw, a relative rarity in the league since sudden-death extra time was introduced in 2003. - Reuters
