Head knocks must be prevented

Sandra Crow has done football, especially rugby league, and young players an important favour in opening up about the painful and exhausting daily reality of her husband Trevor Crow’s life with dementia brought on by the repetitive head knocks he suffered while playing the game from age five to 36. Mr Crow, 63, a former St George second rower and former Newcastle Rugby League chairman, needs one-on-one care. He no longer recognises his wife.

Their story, including the video on The Australian’s website, will enlighten the public about a serious health problem that, at different stages, also has struck league greats Wally Lewis and Mario Fenech.

In 2024, we reported that league rookie Keith Titmuss had become the youngest Australian sports player to be diagnosed with the condition chronic traumatic ­encephal­opathy, after his unrelated death from heat stroke aged just 20.

Prevention, especially minimising head knocks in training and competition, and strengthening concussion protocols are the most important lessons. Action must be reinforced in all codes, at all levels, from schoolyards to grand final venues.

For those afflicted with the disease, and their loved ones, the Crow family’s story highlights the paucity of available support even with an NDIS package. Profitable sporting codes should do more to support former players whose conditions were caused by their playing careers, and their carers.