Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Tiger-ferret
Well-known member
It’s all rumour so I was reluctant to discuss. However if you’ve seen permanent psychosis affects of drug use and adding to the affects of ongoing head knocks from NRL then I guess anything’s possible? I certainly wouldn’t be surprised. Of course it could be completely made up. I hope it’s not that bad for his sake.
TurnStyle
Well-known member
If the gist of what is being posted here about Chrichton is correct I'm very concerned and would be deeply saddened should things turn out badly for him.
I posted previously that it would be pretty unlikely the sole reason for his leave was "having been diagnosed as bipolar". I can't say about the concussion causation, but it's not something that just happens, e.g., you get a check up and your doctor says you have a terminal illness.
Type 1 bipolar would be the only classification that I'd think would be debilitating to the extent he never plays again. Again, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this is possible to suddenly be affected by.
It sounds to me like he has probably always been type 2 bp or Cylclothymia, but just never realised it; It's impossible to know if your highs are any higher than anyone else's, lows likewise because it's always just been how you are.
*come to think of it, isn't Andrew Johns bipolar? Will check... Seems to ring a bell.
Yep:
Andrew Johns speaks openly about his struggles and diagnosis with bipolar disorder
‘I was out of control, my life was chaos’: The cry for help that led to Joey’s bipolar diagnosis
www.foxsports.com.au
Where this does come into effect, *I think*, is his not knowing he was predisposed to extremely adverse effects of certain drugs most others aren't.
Some people can smoke weed their whole lives and be fine. A small percentage could do it a bit and it can mess them up.
He's a young guy who may or may not have taken something everyone else was taking no worries, but it's fkd with his mind.
Whether bipolar or CTE (concussions) is a catalyst, who knows? Either way I doubt it would help.
This truly saddens me and I really hope he is okay. I'm sure he is getting the best care possible, but the thing is broken bones mend; the mind is far more precious and infinitely less understood.
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Tiger-ferret
Well-known member
Wouldnt it just become a medical retirement?
I know people don't like this deadline stuff BUT clearly, we are just there as a backup otherwise he would have signed with us. I hate to say it, but I would give a deadline.
Sorry it's like buying a house where you commit to buy it but ask if they can hold off on the paperwork so you can look around for a better one. If you pull the offer and he comes back later, you might get it cheaper if other options have dried up like Eels etc..
gallagher
Well-known member
The advantage of having a great board/management.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Our players get 2% off with Boomer home loans and Brydens charge through the nose for the legals 😂
Masterton
Well-known member
I'm not sure I see the point. It's not as though we're trying to sign someone else immediately. And staying in the market forces Parra to commit more.
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
upthetigers
Well-known member
If it's drug induced psychosis it might not be permanent. There is like a 30% chance it's permanent. Even if it is permanent, there is medication you can take to treat the symptoms. I reckon he'll be back playing in 4-6 weeks.
TurnStyle
Well-known member
Could get into a whole new area of litigation/causation...
I'm not sure, but think a medical retirement would have to be proven to be due to the effects of the game/his profession.
The murky water could come from intangibles, or chicken and egg. For argument's sake, let's call the Roosters the defence...
Defence: Chrichton has succumbed to debilitating mental health issues due to countless head knocks during his career (CTE)
Prosecution: it's been publicly stated by his own father the reason for his leave is bipolar disorder. You have to provide proof his situation has been caused by head knocks or other by-products of rugby league, and solely by rugby league.
A pre-existing disorder, diagnosed or not, can likely not be considered in this case as I can't see the nrl having any means of insurance against what could be considered an undisclosed, heightened susceptibility to mental health issues.
Furthermore, if it is actually proven that he took an illicit substance and suffered extreme effects, the nrl is in no way responsible and couldn't justify a medical retirement.
Not trying to be cynical, but this is the Roosters, and in this day and age where large entities can't afford to "offend" anyone and image is so important, I wouldn't be surprised if (should Chrichton need it) the nrl was advised to approve the medical retirement to show they take mental health seriously.
Would be a seriously low act if this was used as a get out for them to save cap money.
balmain boy
Well-known member
The only way they could prove that would result in the NRL becoming the NFL.
Which, if the AFL class action gets any traction, could also see the end of most physical contact in the NRL. It surprises me there isn't more talk about this given the potential repercussions for rugby league
I prefer not having an answer. The speculation will totally derail parras season not ours.
TurnStyle
Well-known member
I haven't heard about it. I do tend to be 'league myopic' though!
It's hard to describe to a woman (or guy who just doesn't get it I guess?), but I think there is a somewhat primal instinct that makes running as hard as you can into some huge dude as he does his best to put a good hit on you just so fun!
Then you get to try to tackle someone as hard as you can! What's not to love about that?!
*okay, so I was never the huge dude, and I'm 50 and tomorrow is my anniversary; Of my total hip replacement!
...probably wasn't the wisest decision in hindsight! 🤣
Apologies for blabbing, but I have similar conversations about mma and boxing.
My point is, no one is holding a gun to players' heads. It may be muddied by young kids' glamourised dreams of growing up and playing nrl/w, but I think as long as people know there are risks, are adults and have no cognitive deficiencies (yet?!), they should be able to do what they want.
Parents letting their kids play could be an issue though - especially at ages where there can be big size differences (I've seen young girls just terrorise boys the same age!).
I don't know where the nrl or afl are heading in this area (pardon the pun!), but very physical, and even violent, sport has been around for centuries, and using the ufc as an example, are extremely popular and profitable. You only need to go back to Zuffa selling the ufc a few years back for 4 billion dollars.
Rugby league is a tough sport. It's a huge reason people both play and watch.
But no one wants people's lives destroyed by it. It's pretty heartbreaking seeing Mario Fenech, Ian Roberts. Things are immeasurably better handled these days (I was once knocked out during a game and allowed to drive myself home despite forgetting my own name and knowing I lived with my mate "somewhere that way". Scary.).
It's interesting to see where things go. There are plenty of points for and against.
Hopefully things work out and are decided by open minded people who can listen and genuinely consider views different to their own.
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weststigers
Well-known member
What about boots and clothing sponsors? they are 3rd party deals....what about drinks deals, watches, cars, Lowes...all 3rd party deals.
How can you stop someone from receiving sponsorship if a company is willing to pay?
I can confirm that story , from a current NRL player , him and another player went overseas
finnzo
Well-known member
What a truly horrible story. honestly so sad could happen to any young bloke my self included
