Vale Shane Tuck

[one-eyed]

AFL player Shane Tuck’s widow withdraws from inquest, citing ‘grave concerns’ about its scope

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/20/afl-player-shane-tucks-widow-withdraws-from-inquest-citing-grave-concerns-about-its-scope

[Andyy]

They all want money.

None seem to show interest when the scope focuses on current and future concussion management.

[one-eyed]

Ex-AFL player Shane Tuck was hospitalised for suicide attempts in the lead-up to his death

Former Richmond player Shane Tuck began showing changes in his personality as early as 2006 before taking his own life in 2020, an inquest has heard.

Miles Proust
HeraldSun
July 20, 2023

Former AFL player Shane Tuck heard voices in his head and was hospitalised for suicide attempts in the lead-up to his death, a landmark inquest has heard.

Tuck played 173 games for Richmond before he took his own life, aged 38, after suffering a debilitating brain injury, known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is linked to repeated head knocks.

On the first day of a coronial inquest into his death on Wednesday, Counsel Assisting the Coroner Gideon Boas said Tuck began showing changes in his personality as early as 2006 – his third season playing AFL.

The Coroner’s Court heard Tuck’s widow Katherine, who withdrew from the inquest earlier this year, reported her husband would head straight home after games, go to sleep early and became “obsessive” with his health and fitness.

In 2010, Tuck began treatment for depression, anxiety and heart palpitations and disengaged with his children, Dr Boas said.

Tuck took up boxing after his AFL retirement in 2013, suffering a knockout in his first professional match that saw him hospitalised.

Months later, he attended an emergency department in Adelaide, where he and his family had moved after his AFL retirement, suffering low mood, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

But follow-up scans would clear him to return to boxing and he would have three more bouts.

In mid-2018, Ms Tuck noticed her husband’s mental state decline significantly, reporting he spoke about voices in his head telling him not to eat.

The following year, Tuck was admitted to a psychiatric unit after an overdose and while suffering auditory hallucinations.

In April 2020, Tuck was admitted under similar circumstances to Casey Hospital in Melbourne, where he was placed on a treatment order prohibiting him from leaving.

He was discharged the following month during a period of stability before he took his own life at his parents’ home in Berwick on July 20, 2020 – three years to the day on Thursday.

The inquest will examine the link between Tuck’s concussions, his CTE, and the measures taken by the AFL and boxing authorities to prevent head injury.

Dr Boas said while the incidence of CTE, which can only be definitively diagnosed after death, was not known, it was believed up to 17 per cent of people who experienced repeated concussion went on to develop the progressive brain disease.

He added an estimated 100,000 sport-related concussions occur in Australia each year, with many more not reported.

“The AFL’s responsibility of the game goes down to the community level and the protection of children,” he said.

Lawyer Ben Ihle KC, for the AFL, noted thousands of documents had been submitted to the inquest, including statements by concussion expert Robert Cantu who said the league’s concussion measures were “state of the art”.

Dr Cantu, who prepared a report for the inquest, gave evidence remotely from the United States on Wednesday night, saying the AFL had done a “commendable” job in recognising and treating concussion.

But he said there was no mention of CTE in the documents he was provided to make his report.

“There was really no focus on the effects of repetitive head trauma and that is something that I think is a missed opportunity,” he said.

Dr Cantu, who is a Medical Director of Cantu Concussion Center and a senior advisor to the NFL, said the benefits of padded headgear, as used by some AFL players, was “muddied” by conflicting research.

He said more research was needed and he would like to see the AFL find out the total number of hits individual players were taking over a season.

Dr Cantu added the act of tackling provided the greatest opportunity for reducing head injuries.

He said there had been 20 rule changes in the NFL, such as limiting full-contact training, in an effort to reduce the risk to players in recent years.

Ms Tuck, alongside former players Shaun Smith and Darren Jarman, are involved in a class action filed in the Supreme Court against the AFL and several clubs.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/exafl-player-shane-tuck-was-hospitalised-for-suicide-attempts-in-the-leadup-to-his-death/news-story/51e6f0a2f2dba5884e4a5538d8f41e9c

[one-eyed]

US expert questions use of ‘cookie cutter’ stand-down periods at inquest into Shane Tuck’s death

Eli Green
HeraldSun
July 27, 2023

A coronial inquest into the death of former AFL player Shane Tuck has been told concussion should be managed on an individual basis, rather than applying the same approach to each case.

The inquest is looking into Tuck’s death by suicide in 2020 and whether it was linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a severe brain disease he suffered from, and his time playing football and competing as a boxer.

Under the microscope are the sports’ policies around headknocks and concussions and whether they protect the wellbeing of their players.

US neurosurgeon Robert Cantu told the inquest via videolink from Boston on Wednesday, speaking specifically about boxing rules, described the stand-down periods set for boxers after a fight as “cookie cutter stuff.”

Dr Cantu, the medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, which its website says is “holding sports organizations accountable for concussion care” said each case should be treated individually.

“A boxer can be stopped with a concussion in a KO, where he is up on his feet in a matter of seconds, seems to be fine and then in his exam the next day is fine, and a boxer can be knocked down and be unconscious for a matter of 30 seconds or more,” he told the inquest.

“Those two injuries are not the same and yet the stand-down period is theoretically the same.

“All I’m simply saying is these are kind of rough guidelines.

“I think the more important issue is the severity of the injury and how the individual is doing, and that should really guide how long someone stays out, rather than suggest some arbitrary amount of time.”

He later said he accepted the guidelines were the minimum times scheduled for recovery and that longer periods of time out could be enforced.

Dr Cantu said he had a “major concern” about whether Australian boxing authorities has put enough consideration CTE and the long term effects of headknocks in their policies.

“There is an injury that can happen for repetitive chronic traumatic brain injuries, something that doesn’t show up usually at the time of a given match, but shows up years later. I don’t find that being very much addressed,” he said.

Tuck sustained several head knocks during his career which included playing 173 games for Richmond and five professional boxing matches.

Tuck suffered a number of concussions in both sports, including being knocked out in the fourth round of his first match and was carried out on a stretcher.

An autopsy revealed the 38-year-old had “severe” CTE, which can only be diagnosed after death, and can result in behaviour changes including depression and paranoia.

Tuck was diagnosed with depression in 2010 and within eight years reported hearing voices telling him to take his own life, leading to him being admitted to psychiatric units from 2018-2020 after several overdoses.

Symptoms of CTE also include poor attention, concentration and memory and is linked to a lack of insight, poor judgment and impulsive behaviour.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/us-expert-questions-use-of-cookie-cutter-standdown-periods-at-inquest-into-shane-tucks-death/news-story/d217d4f1343913ada2e391f4738c1dd9

[one-eyed]

Tuck inquest hears AFL considering mandatory helmets for players

The AFL’s chief medical officer has revealed he is considering introducing mandatory helmets and special high-tech mouthguards, as the league grapples with how best to reduce the risks of concussion and brain trauma at junior, community and AFL levels.

Dr Michael Makdissi, speaking for almost three hours under oath at the inquest of former AFL footballer Shane Tuck at the Victorian Coroners Court on Friday, said limiting the number of tackles at training was also a strong consideration.

Full article: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tuck-inquest-hears-afl-considering-mandatory-helmets-for-players-20230728-p5drx9.html

[Tiger_In_Sicily]

What a joke , it's been proven helmets actually cause more concussions. So much for science.  But hey the left world have their own science , fake science. This has been proven over the last few years.

[Andyy]

Better off making players sign a waiver.

It's a risk, you're paid accordingly, not allowed to sue later.

No reason the AFL can't provide some support afterwards but not giant payouts.

[mightytiges]

What a joke , it's been proven helmets actually cause more concussions. So much for science.  But hey the left world have their own science , fake science. This has been proven over the last few years.

All that modern "lefty" science and technology - computers, vaccines, internet, space travel, etc. Things were so much better back in the dark ages when we just made things up based on "belief" and mysticism lol.

Anyway, while helmets don't prevent concussions (they are used to protect against cuts and skull fractures), they don't cause more concussions either (unless you're arguing that it will make players more reckless and go head-first into every contest thinking a helmet makes them bulletproof).

[Broadsword]

But hey the left world have their own science , fake science. This has been proven over the last few years.

This is impeccable science. 

[MintOnLamb]

So if we have helmets, will there still be head high free kicks??

They say helmets do not prevent concussions.

Shane was a ripper, very sad.
However embarking on a boxing career probably not his best choice esp regarding concussion

[one-eyed]

‘His brain was just toasted’: It was only after Shane’s death that his family learnt the truth

Angus Thomson
Sydney Morning Herald
November 8, 2023

Children should be limited to low- or no-contact sport and a comprehensive history of brain injuries included on patient medical records, the peak body of Australian pathologists says as it urges the federal government to adopt recommendations of a Senate inquiry into sports-related brain trauma.

Alarmed by the damage they have discovered in the brains of former athletes, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia will on Wednesday release a position statement on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and its link to repetitive head trauma and concussion.

The neurodegenerative disease can only be diagnosed after death through an autopsy, and has been found in the brains of former sportspeople including AFL great Graham “Polly” Farmer, NRL figure Paul Green and AFLW player Heather Anderson.

Australian Sports Brain Bank founding director Associate Professor Michael Buckland said this was the first time a medical college in Australia has officially outlined a position on the causal link between repeated head trauma and CTE. It follows a Senate inquiry that recommended the government play a stronger role in monitoring and regulating head trauma in sport.

“We’ve got more amateur CTE cases than professional [sportspeople] now, and we’ve had the youngest case of someone who was 20,” he said. “We have no idea how big the problem is. We haven’t yet touched the bottom.”

After former AFL player Shane Tuck died by suicide in 2020, Buckland examined his brain and discovered the most severe case he had seen since the launch of the brain bank in 2018.

His sister, Renee Tuck, said her 38-year-old brother’s brain had deteriorated to the point where he was hearing constant voices in his head that made every day a living hell.

“Shane was the biggest, strongest, mentally strong bloke that I’ve ever known, and he ended up killing himself because his brain was just toasted,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to ever have to go through that.”

Read the full article here: https://www.smh.com.au/national/his-brain-was-just-toasted-it-was-only-after-shane-s-death-that-his-family-learnt-the-truth-20231103-p5ehbh.html

[Willy]

What a joke , it's been proven helmets actually cause more concussions. So much for science.  But hey the left world have their own science , fake science. This has been proven over the last few years.

 

This is a good parody account.

Davey?...

[Andyy]

Is there evidence that suggests restricting contact for children prevents head traumas and has beneficial long-term effects.

I'd have thought learning to tackle/brace as a child would be better than turning 15 and being told you can start tackling when some kids are half way through puberty and some hardly started.

[Assange Tiger 😎]

What a joke , it's been proven helmets actually cause more concussions. So much for science.  But hey the left world have their own science , fake science. This has been proven over the last few years.

 

This is a good parody account.

Davey?...

Nope. Not a parody either, the dude is real unfortunately

[one-eyed]

AFL to review Coroner's findings into Shane Tuck's death

The Victorian State Coroner has released his findings after his investigation into the death of former Richmond star Shane Tuck

By Staff writers, with AAP
afl.com.au
11 December 2023

THE AFL will formally review the recommendations of the Victorian State Coroner after his investigation into the death of former Richmond player Shane Tuck.

Tuck, the son of Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck, died in 2020 at the age of 38 after a 173-game career for the Tigers from 2004 to 2013.

In handing down his findings on Monday, State Coroner Judge John Cain said it was accepted Tuck received repeated head knocks in his football career and while competing as a professional boxer.

Tuck was diagnosed with a severe form of the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death.

Judge Cain did not make findings into the nature of Tuck's death, but instead looked at preventative measures in sport to reduce concussion.

Among these was a recommendation for the AFL to limit the number of contact training sessions, employ independent medical practitioners to attend every AFL and AFLW match and continue to assess other ways to measure and limit concussion from head knocks, such as the use of mouthguard accelerometers and protective helmets.

Along with his recommendations, Judge Cain commended the AFL for its work in recent years to implement concussion protocols and alter the rules of the game.

In response, the AFL pointed to the more than 30 rule changes it has implemented over the past two decades that have been designed to protect the head and said it would formally respond to Judge Cain's recommendations within three months, as required by the Coroners Act.

The League also expressed its condolences to the Tuck family.

"The AFL continues to prioritise the health and safety of our players at all levels of the game and the AFL will now take time to formally review the recommendations of Judge Cain that were largely focussed on reducing repetitive head trauma in our game," the League said in a statement.

"(The AFL) annually updates the AFL and AFLW concussion guidelines to improve the response to head knocks in our game in accordance with current and evolving science. The AFL is constantly investigating further changes and initiatives that involve technology and equipment trials and exploration of concepts that are directed towards protecting the health and safety of our athletes.

"The AFL's concussion protocols have been developed on the advice of qualified medical, concussion and scientific experts. We will continue to base the continued evolution of these protocols and ultimately the continued health and safety of our players on the advice and guidance of qualified medical professionals and scientific experts.

"The AFL reiterates its sympathies to Shane's sister Renee Tuck who gave evidence at the Coronial Investigation hearings and the Tuck family more generally on Shane's untimely passing three years ago and their immense contribution to research into the concussion and head trauma in Australian Football."

In his findings, Judge Cain recommended the AFL limit the number of contact training sessions players participate in before, during and after the regular season from 2025.

The sporting body should also employ independent medical practitioners to attend every AFL and AFLW match to help club doctors assess players after head knocks. They should jointly decide whether the player should be removed from the game but if there's a disagreement, the independent advice wins out, Judge Cain said.

The AFL should also develop and implement baseline neurological testing for each player to do at the start of each season, the judge said.

The data should be linked to the player's clinical profile to monitor for any changes and be used more widely by the league for ongoing medical research.

Judge Cain said the AFL should continue to assess the use of mouthguard accelerometers and protective helmets as other ways to measure and limit concussion from head knocks.

The League also acknowledged Judge Cain had "commended the AFL for its commitment to supporting research in this important area of player wellbeing, health and safety including with its Brain Health Initiative longitudinal research program which will aim to commence recruiting participants in 2024". 

"Judge Cain also commended the AFL for the work that it has done in developing and/or implementing the CSX App, Hawkeye and the use of concussion spotters in the ARC for AFL and AFLW games.

"Judge Cain's findings also referred to the report and evidence of Dr Robert Cantu, Medical Director and Director of Clinical Research at the Dr Robert C. Cantu Concussion Centre who stated in his report that the approach to concussion by the AFL is not only a reasonable and proportionate framework for the protection of participants in training and playing of Australian Football but is state of the art."

The AFL Players Association said it would look to discuss Judge Cain's recommendations with the AFL in more detail.

"The AFLPA has consistently advocated for improvements around reducing and managing head knocks and concussion in our members, and we look forward to discussing the Coroner's recommendations in more detail with the AFL," AFLPA general manager of legal Megan Comerford said.

"It remains clear that more work needs to be done to protect, care for and support current and past players who have, and will continue to, put their bodies on the line so the industry can prosper."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1071449/afl-responds-to-victorian-state-coroner-judge-john-cains-findings-into-shane-tucks-death