‘Am I going to die?’: NRL great’s terrifying health revelation

A rugby league great has opened up on the devastating health battle he’s facing and the terrifying reality of it all.

Mark Carroll taking rest during 1995 second test, Australia v New Zealand, Sydney Football Stadium (SFS). Sport / Rugby League / Alone

Rugby league great Mark “Spudd” Carroll has opened up on his terrifying health battle and called for the NRL to step up.

Carroll threw everything he had into the game of rugby league, but nothing comes close to the battle he’s facing long after hanging up the boots.

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The former New South Wales State of Origin star sought help after listening to News Corp’s podcast Head Noise.

It was following these tests when his doctors passed on the devastating news he was suffering from the degenerative brain disease CTE.

“Am I going to die?” Carroll asked Dr Rowena Mobbs, as reported by The Australian.

“Doc, you are scaring me.”

After the NRL introduced tougher rules surrounding concussion, Carroll was fearful for more players from his generation that didn’t have the protection in place for today’s players.

“It was a badge of honour back then. Me against the Chief (Paul Harragon) – it was battle time,” Carroll told 7NEWS.

Mark "Spud" Carroll at his Gym, Spudds, in Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“When we were coming through we didn’t have any protocols, we didn’t know about this.”

“Mate, I just broke up in tears,” he said.

“I said to her, ‘am I going to die?’ It was a week after Paul Green took his life.”

“It’s bloody horrible, you dish it out but you don’t want to hear the consequences.”

The former league enforcer is now asking for the NRL to step up and help cover the costs of brain scans for players.

“There is a duty of care I really believe that,” he added.

“Look after players in my era and also my heroes in the era before that and the eras before that.

“$900 for a PET scan. We’re not covered with Medicare or any health fund but any player who’s living in silence where I’ve been … come out and get tested, and the league pick up the bill.”

He's one of the toughest players to ever lace on a boot. And now, Mark Spudd Carroll is readying himself for another battle. The @SeaEagles and @SSFCRABBITOHS great is calling on the @NRL to fund brain scans for ex-players. https://t.co/TWh1KQh9q4#NRL#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/YljogiU0fi

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 20, 2023

Carroll’s pleas come on the same day as the NRL mourned the passing of legend John Sattler at the age of 80.

Sattler’s health deteriorated badly in recent years as he battled dementia, not long after he had suffered a stroke.

His son Scott spoke about his rapidly declining health and said the Souths hard nut was paying the price for playing during the brutal era of rugby league.

“Dad was diagnosed officially last year with dementia,” Scott said to The Daily Telegraph in 2021.

“I’ve always suspected for a lot longer that he was suffering from memory loss.

“I have no doubt the punishment dad copped during his career has played a role in his health today. He suffered a stroke a few years ago and that is also a factor.

“It’s sad to see, what I’d give to be able to sit and talk rugby league like we used to for hours.

“I’ll never get that again, this is the effect of rugby league.”

Mark Carroll during 1995 second test, Australia v New Zealand, Sydney Football Stadium (SFS). Sport / Rugby League / Alone

Carroll is fighting for change. John Feder/The Australian.

Fenech, the former NSW State of Origin star, was diagnosed with early onset dementia seven years ago and is believed to be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head. The condition can only be officially diagnosed post-mortem via autopsy.

He revealed on Channel 7’s Spotlight that his memory has been badly affected. He said in 2016 he had begun to struggle with the impacts of brain damage and had begun to take dementia medication.

He said at the time he had no regrets about his career.

“Rugby league in this generation is a lot more safer than when I played,” he said.

“But in saying that I wouldn’t change a thing. I really enjoyed my 15 year challenge of playing Rugby League and enjoyed my time at Souths and it was brutal in those days but that’s the way it was.”