Manly has outlined its defence in a $5 million lawsuit launched by former forward Lloyd Perrett, claiming any alleged injuries suffered were the result of his own negligence after he turned up to the start of pre-season training out of shape and without a water bottle.
Perrett launched Supreme Court action against his former NRL club last August, claiming he was placed in “a comatose state for two days” after a training session he has never recovered from. According to the claim filed, Perrett suffered exertional heat stroke, heat stress-induced seizure and psychiatric injury during running sessions at the Narrabeen Sports Complex on November 6, 2017, in which he was deprived of water.
Lloyd Perrett is suing the Sea Eagles.Credit: NRL Photos
Manly players were required to complete three two-kilometre time trials, with Perrett collapsing on the third lap of the field during his third trial. As a result, Perrett’s lawyers say their client suffered “disabilities” including a seizure, poor heat tolerance, severe pain, fatigue, muscular degeneration, impaired cognitive ability, anxiety, moodiness and poor kidney, liver and thyroid function.
It’s further claimed the incident prompted the premature end of Perrett’s NRL career and “loss of future earning capacity”, with sources not authorised to speak publicly claiming the former Junior Kangaroos co-captain and NSW Cup player of the year was seeking a $5 million payout.
However, the Sea Eagles’ statement of defence – filed to the court and obtained by this masthead – denies the club deprived Perrett of water and referred to “contributory negligence” from the plaintiff, including “failing to sufficiently manage his health, weight and diet in the off-season”, “failing to communicate his condition/fitness to coaching staff at the training session” and “not bringing his own water bottle to the training session”.
The Sea Eagles’ claim of “contributory negligence” by Lloyd Perrett
i. Failing to sufficiently manage his health, weight and diet in the off-season ahead of the training session;
- Failing to properly train in the off-season and prepare to participate in the training session;
iii. Failing to properly monitor his health, fitness and ability to participate in the training session;
- Failing to sufficiently hydrate himself before and during the training session;
- Failing to communicate his condition/fitness to coaching staff at the training session;
- Before and during the third time trial, failing to identify that he should stop for a break;
vii. Not bringing his own water bottle to the training session;
viii. Putting himself in a position of danger;
- Failing to take any or any reasonable care for his safety;
- Failing to exercise caution;
- Failing to take any or any proper precautions for his own safety in the circumstances; and
xii. Failing to detect, observe and take heed of an obvious risk (the presence of which is not admitted).
Manly also claims that a statute of limitations applies to the matter and, given almost eight years lapsed between the incident and the filing of the claim, the move to seek damages should be “extinguished”.
Perrett made 16 first-grade appearances for Manly after the incident, but claims he was never the same player or person afterwards. He finished his career with 56 NRL matches for the Bulldogs and the Sea Eagles. None of the staffers who oversaw the session in question remain at the Sea Eagles. Manly declined to comment.
In an interview with this masthead in 2024, Perrett spoke about the physical and mental toll the incident had taken on him.
“I was comatose,” Perrett said at the time. “Six out of 10 people die in this situation. That’s what the nurse told me when I was in hospital.
“I became much more anxious [afterwards]. I was even suicidal at points.
“If it wasn’t for my parents, I would have taken my own life. I considered myself to be worthless.”
Perrett said for years he had grappled with whether to proceed with legal action, but that he felt he had no choice.
“I feel I need to do this,” Perrett said at the time. “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.”
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