Former Newcastle Knights star’s $1m lawsuit dismissed

A landmark court case involving Former Newcastle Knights star James McManus has been dismissed days before it was due to be heard.

Former Knights star James McManus has had a landmark court case over repeated concussions involving his former club dismissed just days before it was set to be heard.

McManus, who played 166 games for the club, began proceedings against Newcastle in 2017 and had been suing for $1 million.

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The winger, now 35, claimed his career which would have been prolonged with further contracts on offer in the Super League and was instead forced to end his career in 2015.

The three-time NSW Blues winger said he had suffered from mental health issues and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after seven concussions.

James McManus’s landmark case has been dismissed.

His medical team also said he had symptoms which led to a likely risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

A loss would have been significant for the Knights, but also the NRL who have become mindful of the McManus case setting a precedent and allowing to further litigation from former players.

Danny Buderus, Matt Gidley and former Knights coach Wayne Bennett were expected to be called to give evidence, but will now not be forced to front court.

In a statement, the NRL said: “The claim brought by James McManus against the Newcastle Knights, which was managed by the NRL, has been finalised with the NSW Supreme Court ordering judgment for the Knights.”

“The NRL is pleased that this long-running matter has been resolved in the Knights’ favour.

“The NRL was confident in its defence of the claim under the Civil Liability Act and we are pleased that the matter could be resolved without further cost and expense for all parties.”

Originally published as Former Newcastle Knights star’s $1m lawsuit dismissed