Keith Titmuss coronial inquest: Former Manly high performance manager’s emotional plea to NRL clubs

Former Manly high performance manager Don Singe made an emotional plea to NRL clubs during the coronial inquest into the death of Sea Eagles prodigy Keith Titmuss.

Former Manly high performance manager Don Singe broke down in tears at the coronial inquest into the death of Sea Eagles prodigy Keith Titmuss.

Singe made an emotional plea that NRL clubs should overhaul their pre-season training processes, declaring “Maybe we need to address the signs and symptoms of it better. I’m sorry.”

His evidence came on day three of the inquest held before deputy state coroner Derek Lee, who is examining whether Manly coaching staff were properly trained to assess heat exhaustion, and whether the NRL heat policy is adequate.

Singe, who rushed to help Titmuss when he collapsed and suffered a seizure inside the club’s dojo in 2020, was shattered to learn the player’s death was likely found to be the result of heat stroke.

Titmuss, 20, later died at Royal North Shore Hospital after the incident on the first day of Manly’s pre-season training in November.

Singe faced tough questioning from counsel assisting Adam Casselden, SC, about whether it was appropriate for Titmuss to take part in the training session given the court heard he was the least aerobic player in the Manly squad and could have been at a greater risk of heat stroke.

Don Singe at Manly training in 2021. Picture: John Grainger

He became emotional when recounting how the team had completed a 90-minute field session, where Titmuss had covered 6.7km, before moving to the Narrabeen dojo, where he collapsed.

“Only learning about the heat stroke and temperature in the last two weeks, that’s devastating,” a tearful Singe said.

“At the end of the day, we didn’t know. He was asymptomatic. He didn’t f---ing stumble, he didn’t do anything. I’m not defending myself. I wished to God he would have stumbled or shown me something, then it would have been different.

“I feel like I’m under siege. If it makes it better and gives peace to the family, so (Titmuss’) mum and dad can start the mourning process and they can grieve for their son, I’ll be as useful as I can in this process.”

Titmuss had a body mass index of more than 35 when he returned to pre-season training weighing 116.8kg, having gained 4kg over the eight-week off-season period.

Keith Titmuss during his time with Manly.

Former Manly assistant coach Michael Monaghan told the inquest Titmuss had returned to training “very similar to the two previous pre-seasons … and was behind straight off the bat, significantly compared to everyone else”.

Singe said Titmuss complained of cramp inside the dojo but showed no signs of distress.

According to Singe, Titmuss asked two players to help him off the ground before the high performance boss assisted him to the side of the dojo, where he realised something was wrong.

An attending paramedic said Titmuss’ 41.9-degree body temperature was the “highest they’d ever seen”.

Sea Eagles head trainer Alex Ross told the inquest he had ice in a gear van just metres from the dojo when he was alerted to Titmuss’ condition, and ran to a doctor’s clinic for help at the nearby Sydney Academy of Sport campus.

Ben and Jake Trbojevic leave the Keith Titmuss inquest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Titmuss suffered a cardiac arrest and later died at Royal North Shore Hospital.

It was also revealed Titmuss had the lowest score of any player in Manly’s yoyo test — a 20-metre running drill used to assess aerobic capacity.

Singe said it was a testing session but not “unusual” by NRL standards, given the maximum temperature at nearby Terrey Hills didn’t hit 25 degrees on the day.

“For the 36 players that completed the session, the numbers may look demanding but looking at the breakdown of metres per minute, max speed and heart rates … it’s a solid session, but it’s not something that would be unusual in the NRL,” Singe said.

“We talk about Keith like he wasn’t supposed to be there, but he was supposed to be there. He was a good athlete. He was strong and powerful.”

The inquest continues into next week.

Originally published as Keith Titmuss coronial inquest: Former Manly high performance manager’s emotional plea to NRL clubs