NRL call in amnesia expert
By Dean Ritchie
August 4, 2004
A NEUROLOGIST renowned as a world expert in sports medicine will tonight join the NRL's case to have Melbourne's Danny Williams suspended for up to 18 matches.
Dr Paul McCrory will be asked by NRL counsel Peter Kite to help dispel the controversial theory Williams had post-traumatic amnesia when he king-hit Wests Tigers player Mark O'Neill in round 19.
Williams' striking case was adjourned two weeks ago.
Most anticipate tonight's high-profile hearing before panel members Ian Roberts, Bob Lindner and Royce Ayliffe to be a medical battle.
Dr Nathan Gibbs initially told the panel that post-traumatic amnesia might have affected Williams' judgment.
Gibbs is not expected to give further evidence tonight but he will attend the hearing.
McCrory is likely to be asked whether post-traumatic amnesia is possible or probable.
One doctor told The Daily Telegraph that only Williams, 29, would know whether he sustained the condition.
The doctor said it would come down to whether the panel accepted the evidence of Gibbs or McCrory.
"No one will really know except Danny," the doctor said.
"But it should be remembered that all three panel members are former first graders who I am sure would have been concussed during their careers and perhaps had post-traumatic amnesia."
Melbourne-based McCrory refused to discuss the case when contacted yesterday.
McCrory is currently head of the Department of Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne and editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
His biographical details include years of experience providing medical care for concussed athletes and developing evidence-based guidelines for their safe return to play.
Judiciary chairman Greg Woods postponed the initial hearing to give Kite more time to obtain background on post-traumatic amnesia.
"I think everyone is looking forward to this case being resolved," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
O'Neill struck Williams high in a tackle, for which he was found guilty at the judiciary, moments before the king-hit.
