NRL legend James Graham tackles concussion in explosive new podcast Head Noise

The Australian’s explosive investigation into concussion starts today | LISTEN

Sporting codes are under pressure to urgently consider longer mandatory stand-down periods for concussed athletes, lifelong brain-health check-ups and new protocols about head trauma in children.

Athletes from rugby league, AFL, union and Olympic sports have revealed their harrowing stories of surviving head trauma, only to face lifelong consequences including memory loss and mental health problems, in The Australian’s gripping new investigation Head Noise.

In a world first, former NRL superstar James Graham will take audiences along as he goes through scans and doctor’s tests to try to discover the impact football has had on his brain.

Graham is also courageously opening up about his own mental health.

“In the autumn of 2016, I felt like I was losing my mind. I was losing control. Something was wrong,” Graham says in Episode One, available now.

Also in today’s episode, NRL Immortal Wally Lewis today reveals he was told by his doctor to stop playing football to protect his brain at the age of 26, when he was diagnosed with epilepsy — but Lewis refused to quit.

Graham, who has partnered with The Australian to host the podcast, is adamant this investigation is not an attack on football or an attempt to destroy the games Australian love.

“Football has given me a life I never would have been able to achieve any other legal way,” Graham says.

“But while it gave me the best, the most brilliant years of my life, what have 18,000 hits done to me now – and the 100 or so concussions I have suffered?

“What has it done to my brain? Do I have brain damage, as terrifying as it sounds?”

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Listen now to Episode One of Head Noise

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In the investigation, to be published over coming weeks, we reveal several NRL superstars’ ongoing concerns over what head trauma has done to their brains, as well as two AFL stars who had brushes with death after repeated head injuries on-field.

We also meet a former Wallaby who is calling for longer mandatory stand-down periods, and the horrifying story of an Olympic star’s poorly treated concussion.

The Australian has spoken to neurologists and neurophysiologists working to assess patients’ individual damage and to address the bigger questions of how sport and society should handle ongoing head trauma.

Andrew McCullough of the Broncos assists James Graham of the Dragons as he lies concussed on the field during a 2018 elimination final.

We examine the burning questions including: Is there too much contact in training; should kids tackle in junior footy and how long should concussed athletes be sidelined?

The investigation explores what can be done for those suffering brain trauma and also asks if enough is being done for retired athletes who have been involved in collision sports.

Graham has a clear demand: he wants codes, starting with the NRL, to introduce annual “brain body and mind” check-ups for all former elite athletes.

“I think the game should honour the past, and at least provide something which can help players keep on top of their psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing,” Graham said.

“I think it can make a massive difference – I feel like rugby league could lead the way on this. I feel a lot of people are suffering in silence, because they don‘t necessarily know where to go or they don’t want to feel like a burden.”

James Graham with some young fans from Paddington Colts. Picture: John Feder

Graham, who has promised to donate his brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank, also explores the issue of brain disease – chronic traumatic encephalo­pathy – which is linked to repetitive head knocks.

CTE can only be diagnosed after death through brain tissue analysis.

Last month former Maroons and Cowboys coach Paul Green’s family donated his brain after he took his life.

The family wants to know if head trauma contributed to Green’s suffering, and has agreed to have the late footballer’s brain examined by the Australian Sports Brain Bank to aid scientific research into CTE.

 

In recent years the AFL community has also been dealing with suicides of champion footballers. In the AFL Richmond’s Shane Tuck was found to have CTE, as did much-loved St Kilda great Danny Frawley – both players took their own lives.

Geelong great Polly Farmer died in hospital surrounded by his family in 2019 aged 84 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and was diagnosed with CTE post-mortem.

Former Bulldogs player Steve Folkes, who suffered a heart attack and passed away, was the first rugby league footballer who was publicly found to have CTE.

In 2020, GWS Giants AFLW player Jacinda Barclay became the first female athlete from a contact sport in Australia to have her brain donated to the Australian Sports Brain Bank. There, researchers have uncovered neurological damage they described as a “ticking time bomb”.

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Subscribers to The Australian have complete access to Head Noise. Subscribe to The Australian here.

The first episode of Head Noise is available now on The Australian’s app. Download the app: (iOS | Android)

Go to headnoisepodcast.com.au to find out more