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Touchline • Issue 16 • 41
Casey Tutungi, a former VFL footballer has been left a quadriplegic
after damaging his spine in a game of football. The 27-year-old
injured his spine during an on-field accident against St Joseph’s in
June.
Doctors have told Casey Tutungi, who played for Geelong’s Victorian
Football League side before becoming co-coach of Geelong Football
League team South Barwon, that he will never be able to walk or use
his arms again. He fractured and dislocated his C4 and C5 vertebrae,
which had compressed his spinal cord and caused swelling.
He injured his spine during an on-field collision with an opposition
player in the last minutes of the game. After collecting the football
he pushed through a pack colliding head first into the stomach of an
opposition player. Following impact he flopped to the ground and
was unable to move below the shoulders.
He was placed in an induced coma before being returned to
full consciousness several days later to be given the shattering
prognosis.
He has stated that he is determined to continue to coach
South Barwon.
Although such injuries are rare in Australian Rules
football, several have happened in recent decades.
In July last year, country South Australian
footballer Trent Rothall fractured his C4 and
C5 vertebrae during an on-field accident.
After being confirmed a quadriplegic,
the 21-year-old Kingston player has
reportedly regained some movement in both his arms.
Rothall’s accident came weeks after Gippsland footballer Beau
Vernon suffered a similar injury.
The 2011 best-and-fairest Leongatha Parrots was left with C5-C6
quadriplegia after an on-field clash against Wonthaggi.
In 1975, former Footscray footballer Neil Sachsewas left a quadriplegic
after an accidental collision with Fitzroy player, Kevin O’Keeffe.
Tutungi’s family has set up a trust to help pay for medical equipment.
Anyone wishing to donate can visit caseytutungi.com or visit any
branch of the Bendigo Bank and donate to the Casey Tutungi Future
Fund.
Takapuna Club rugby player Willie Halaifonua died in
Auckland hospital after collapsing with a head injury at
the end of a match on 20 July.
The father of two was named player of the day moments
before he fell to the ground unconscious at the end of the
premier division match between his Takapuna team and
Massey at the Onewa Domain.
Mr Halaifonua reportedly clashed heads with a Massey
player about a minute before the game ended, and
collapsed just a few minutes later. The 27-year-old lock
could not be roused and was rushed to Auckland City
Hospital where he underwent a three-hour emergency
operation to relieve pressure on his brain. He died without
regaining consciousness.
Takapuna manager Glenn Gissing said “He collapsed at
the end of the game. I was walking back to the clubrooms
with all the gear, the game had finished and everyone
was shaking hands and Willie just dropped to his knees.
Willie had just been made our player of the day. He played
very well.
“He had a couple of knocks during the game. He had a
head clash with a Massey player but Willie was okay so he
obviously carried on playing. There was another incident
right at the end, in the last five minutes of the game, and
it wasn’t deliberate, where a stray knee hit him in the
head. That probably compounded the first knock.”
In accordance with International Rugby Board rules, any
player thought to have suffered a “suspected loss of
consciousness” must be referred to a doctor for a pitch
side suspected concussion assessment (PCSA)
They are referred for the test if they are unsteady on their
feet, if they are disoriented or confused, if they appear
dazed or are exhibiting inappropriate behaviour or other
symptoms or signs suggesting a suspected concussion.
Players can only go back on the field if the person
administering the test deems them fit to play.
AFL FOOTBALLER LEFT QUADRIPLEGIC
AFTER SPINAL INJURY
CONCUSSION RULES
CLUB RUGBY PLAYER DIES AFTER
BRAIN BLEED