‘He won’t be forgotten’: Manly hope for answers and closure in Keith Titmuss inquest

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov hopes the inquest into the death of former player Keith Titmuss will lead to increased welfare for NRL stars and provide answers for Titmuss’s family.

Former Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler, members of his old support staff and Titmuss’ ex-teammates such as Josh Schuster, Moses Suli and Sione Fainu will all provide evidence during a coronial inquest, which starts on Monday.

It has been more than three years since 20-year-old Titmuss collapsed and later died after a Sea Eagles training session.

His death rocked the Manly club and wider rugby league community, and a coronial investigation was launched to determine the circumstances of his passing.

The coronial inquest, before deputy state coroner Derek Lee, is expected to last for more than a week.

Mestrov, who only joined the Sea Eagles in 2022, will attend the inquest along with other Manly officials.

Keith Titmuss died after a pre-season training session in 2020.Credit: NRL Photos

In his only public comments before the inquest, Mestrov said he hoped it would help Titmuss’ family with the grieving process.

“The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Rugby League Club expresses their condolences to Keith’s family and friends,” Mestrov said.

“Keith was highly respected by his teammates and coaching staff. Keith’s death both shocked and devastated the club’s staff and players. He won’t be forgotten.

“Manly welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the inquest, particularly because we’re hoping it might provide some answers for Keith’s family and manage the risks that come with playing elite sport. It’s a unique and important opportunity to enhance player safety and welfare.

“Manly prioritises player safety and welfare. We’ll continue to provide assistance and support to Keith’s teammates and friends.”

Titmuss, who was on the verge of making his NRL debut, was posthumously named Sea Eagles first grade player No.623. The club also presented a jersey with the number on it to his family.

The Sea Eagles’ NSW Cup and junior teams carried Titmuss’ initials on their playing jerseys the following season after his death.

But the family have been searching for answers ever since he suffered a seizure during a pre-summer training session at Narrabeen in November, 2020.

Paramedics rushed Titmuss to Northern Beaches Hospital before he was later transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he died from cardiac arrest.

In an interview with the Herald after Titmuss’ death, his mother Lafo said: “As a parent, you never prepare your child for death. For us, it felt like he was by himself. He was going through something that he hadn’t thought of, nor contemplated that he’d ever have to go through.”

The inquest will happen in the same week the Sea Eagles prepare for their first official trial of the season against South Sydney at Gosford next Sunday.

The two teams will meet again in Las Vegas in the opening match of the NRL season on March 3 (AEDT).

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