Wonthaggi Blues player Gwyn Pugh likely took own life due to CTE, coroner finds

Former country footballer Gwyn Pugh took his life after a secret, decades-long battle with CTE caused by head knocks and concussions.

A former regional football player took his life after a secret, decades-long battle with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

The tragic finding draws much needed attention to the serious, life-endangering risks of head knocks and concussions faced not only by professional Australian Football League players, but local players too.

Former Wonthaggi Blues football player Gwyn Pugh ended his life at his Coronet Bay home in October 2022 after years of severe depression, including five episodes requiring inpatient treatment and a previous attempt at suicide.

It was only after the 63-year-old father’s death that he was diagnosed with severe CTE, the same progressive degenerative brain disease which contributed or directly led to the suicides of AFL players Danny Frawley and Shane Tuck.

Gwyn Pug ended his life at his Coronet Bay home in October 2022 after years of severe depression. Picture: Supplied

An examination of Mr Pugh’s brain by the Australian Sports Brain Bank identified high-stage CTE and ageing-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG), typically seen in the elderly and considered unusual for his age.

He suffered head injuries resulting in concussions while playing football in his early life.

Coroner Leveasque Peterson found a likely link between Mr Pugh’s suicide and CTE diagnosis.

“I am hopeful this (finding) may contribute to ongoing efforts to improve understandings of CTE and its diagnosis, as well as initiatives intended to mitigate and manage the occurrence of repetitive head injuries sustained while playing Australian rules football,” Judge Peterson said.

The Australian Sports Brain Bank, established in 2018, is dedicated to concussion and CTE research.

A study conducted in its first three years found 12 of 21 brains examined had CTE pathology, with six (50 per cent) of the donors dying by suicide.

Eight of the 11 brains were donated by professional rugby and AFL players.

Findings into Mr Pugh’s death are a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by head injuries in sport, including at a non-professional level.

Mr Pugh had a longstanding history of bipolar affective disorder, self-harm and suicidal ideation and required inpatient treatment for severe depression from 2006.

He fought his demons with medication and was reportedly feeling “quite good” in the lead up to his death.

However that changed the morning of October 26, 2022 when he told his partner he “wasn’t feeling mentally well” and stayed in bed until about midday, before taking his life.

Judge Peterson reiterated recommendations made following the 2023 inquest into the death of Mr Tuck to mitigate the risk of head injuries during sport.

They included the use of protective equipment such as helmets while playing AFL and training and procedural modifications to ensure concussions are treated seriously and players not returned to play prematurely.