Arabic version: مانلي يزعم أن تيتموس ساهم في وفاته خلال التدريب

According to ABC News, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles has filed a defence in the NSW Supreme Court alleging player Keith Titmuss contributed to his own death by failing to disclose a decline in his fitness during the off-season.

Titmuss died in November 2020 after collapsing during pre-season training. His family is suing the NRL club for damages for alleged negligence, including an alleged failure to implement the NRL heat policy. In its defence, Manly said NRL training was “inherently dangerous” and alleged any injury, loss and damage suffered by the family was caused or contributed to by Titmuss’s own negligence.

The club alleged Titmuss did not properly train or diet in the off-season and did not stop training when he felt ill. It said players had been instructed to tell coaching staff if they were unwell or unable to cope with physical demands. Manly also said a fitness test conducted four days before the 20-year-old died showed “no red flags”.

The session at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen included outdoor sprint tests followed by an indoor cardio workout in a dojo. Court documents state the temperature was about 21 degrees Celsius and humidity was 92 per cent. Manly admitted the dojo had no air-conditioning, but said doors were open, floor-standing fans were available and hydration breaks were enforced. The family alleged the fans were not switched on.

A 2024 coronial inquest found Titmuss died from exertion heat stroke and that a pre-existing heart condition was unlikely to have contributed. The coroner found the indoor workout, following an outdoor session, was more likely than not inappropriate. Evidence at the inquest said paramedics recorded Titmuss’s temperature at 41.9C and his heart rate at more than 140 beats per minute.