Francis Molo said his job was to ‘tackle hard’ in inquest into death of opponent James Ackerman

A FORMER Brisbane Bronco has broken down in court, as lawyers discussed playing footage of an on-field collision that claimed the life of an opponent.

Francis Molo became distressed and tearful when lawyers discussed playing footage of the crunching on-field collision between him and James Ackerman, who later died in hospital. Picture: Darren England/AAP

A FORMER Brisbane Bronco has broken down in tears in court, as lawyers discussed playing footage of a crunching on-field collision that claimed the life of an opponent.

Francis Molo, 22, clashed with James Ackerman, 25, in a bruising on-field tackle during a Queensland Cup match in Brisbane in June 2015.

Two days later, Mr Ackerman, a father-of-two, died of head injuries in hospital.

Taking the stand to give evidence at the inquest into Mr Ackerman’s death in Brisbane Coroner’s Court on Wednesday morning, Mr Molo grew distressed when lawyers discussed playing footage of the incident.

Francis Molo arrives to give evidence at Brisbane Coroner’s Court. Picture: Darren England/AAP

The former Bronco had never seen it, his lawyer Peter Lane told the court, and found the prospect of doing so distressing.

Giving evidence, Mr Molo denied that he deliberately shoulder charged Mr Ackerman, a manoeuvre that was banned by the Rugby League International Federation in 2013, despite him being found guilty of doing so by the Queensland Rugby League judiciary and suspended for nine weeks.

The court had previously heard from witnesses that Mr Molo tucked in his right elbow, before turning side on and colliding with Mr Ackerman.

But Mr Molo rejected that in his testimony.

James Ackerman.

James Ackerman, with children Millie and Ollie.

He did, however, admit the collision between the pair was a particularly crunching one, and said that even he was a “bit scared” going into it.

But he said aggression was a normal part of the game and “how footy is played”.

“I wasn’t going in to shoulder charge, I was there to do my job and tackle hard,” Mr Molo said.

“I was front on, I never turned my side. I was always front on.

“Both my arms were up by my chest and my hands were out.”

The Courier-Mail reported Mr Molo told the court that he was surprised at how straight Mr Ackerman was running towards him, and that his opponent did not change direction before the collision between them.

Mr Ackerman lies on the ground after the collision. Picture: Chris Jones

“Usually players change direction. I was a bit scared myself,” the publication reported he said.

He said he believed Mr Ackerman was trying to run into him.

“That’s his job. Our job’s to try and get over each other, sort of. We both played hard. He was just trying to do his job to the best of his ability, and I was doing my job,” Mr Molo said.

Mr Molo said he “knew it was going to be a high-impact tackle” so he braced himself.

“I crouched to get ready for the impact and then my right shoulder hit the ball, his chest.

“The collision was so big I didn’t have a chance to wrap my arms around him.”

Mr Molo said he struck Mr Ackerman in the chest, not in the head or neck.

He admitted pushing Mr Ackerman’s head while he lay on the ground but not kneeing him, which was claimed by another player.

James Ackerman’s mother Sonya Ackerman arrives at court. Mr Molo said he accepted a nine-week suspension for an illegal shoulder charge because he did not want to distress the Ackerman family any further. Picture: Darren England/AAP

“I just pushed his head a little bit, just playing the game. I didn’t know how critical that situation was,” he said.

Mr Molo told the court he accepted the finding of the illegal shoulder charge by the judiciary, along with the hefty suspension, because he did not want to cause Mr Ackerman’s family any more distress.

“I didn’t want more to happen with it,” Mr Molo said.

The incident occurred in a match between the Norths Devils and the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Mr Ackerman’s team.

Mr Molo was 20 years old at the time of the incident and training with the Brisbane Broncos during the week, then joining Norths, a Broncos feeder team, and playing front row with them.

In earlier evidence on Tuesday, a forensic pathologist with more than two decades experience said Mr Ackerman’s fatal brain injury was similar to that of a car crash victim.

He was rushed to the Royal Brisbane Hospital in the wake of the collision but died two days later.

The inquest continues before Coroner John Lock.

Originally published as Francis Molo said his job was to ‘tackle hard’ in inquest into death of opponent James Ackerman