Shane Tuck’s death ‘not in vain’ – leaving behind ‘legacy’ for future athletes

Family of Richmond star who took his own life after suffering through years of head knocks says CTE ‘can no longer be ignored’.

Shane Tuck.

The family of Shane Tuck has declared Victorian Coroner John Cain Jr “hasn’t missed a beat” in his landmark findings into the death of former Richmond star and welcomed his sweeping recommendations aimed at avoiding more players suffering head knocks during their careers.

The AFL has been urged to radically overhaul its concussion rules, with the Victorian State Coroner explicitly recommending the AFL warn players about the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy from sub-concussive head knocks suffered in the game.

Tuck took his own life in July 2020 aged 38 after a long battle with mental illness. He was diagnosed with “severe CTE” at post-mortem examination at the Australian Sports Brain Bank. CTE is a dementia caused by the cumulative effects of repetitive head injury.

Mr Cain on Monday recommended the AFL reduce full-contact training and “strongly urged” the widespread introduction of accelerometer mouthguards, which measure a player’s exposure to repetitive head injury.

“It has been such an emotional morning,” the Tuck family said in an exclusive statement to The Australian.

“Three-and-a-half years since we lost Shane and today’s findings have shown his death wasn’t in vain.

“It’s extremely important that the link between continuous head knocks and CTE is recognised and also shared with society and sporting communities

“Shane was never knocked out and taken from the field. He was hit in the head over and over.”

The coroner recommended the AFL educate players at all levels of the game about the risks inherent in repetitive head injury and explicitly address the issue of CTE.

“Coroner Cain has brought it to the attention of Australia by pushing for education for all,” the family said. “It can no longer be ignored and I would like to think that Shane is a big part of that.”

The coroner also recommended federal funding for brain banks in order to further research into CTE, but fell short of recommending the AFL explicitly back the Australian Sports Brain Bank, which has so far identified CTE in 50 per cent of the more than 100 brains it has examined.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the Australian Sports Brain Bank,” said Tuck’s sister Renee, who singled out how important this was for the family’s “healing”.

“Brain donation is so important and I thank Professor Michael Buckland and his team for all they have done for us and the work they continue to do for all families losing their loved ones to this horrific disease.

“Shane was a warrior and we miss him every day. Today Shane left behind a legacy for our future athletes.”