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Jarrod's Tackling a storm
By VIVA GOLDNER Court Reporter
February 15, 2005
AS A keen property investor, former league star-turned-developer Jarrod McCracken had far more riding on his career than sporting glory.
McCracken put "just about all" his earnings from his first-grade contract with Wests Tigers into real estate -- until an illegal tackle ended his career five years ago.
Yesterday the Supreme Court became the playing field for a legal battle between 34-year-old McCracken and Melbourne Storm and its players Stephen Kearney and Marcus Bai.
Ex-Tigers captain McCracken claims the Storm and its two players were liable for the serious neck injury he suffered in a "dangerous throw" in the 27th minute of a match at Storm's Olympic Park in May 2000.
The court heard McCracken was "lifted up ... turned and speared in a vertical position to the ground" by former Kiwi teammate Kearney and Bai, with his head taking the impact.
McCracken is suing for loss of earnings and opportunity, claiming the incident halted his stellar career -- and dented his beachfront property portfolio.
McCracken's barrister Bernard Gross QC said loss of income flowed from the early termination of his two-year contract with Tigers, worth $300,000 a season.
McCracken played 163 first-grade games.
Prior to the accident, Mr Gross said a three-year stint with England was also envisaged for the "distinguished rugby league player of great ability and fame".
"I don't like to give myself too much of a wrap, but I was playing my best," McCracken, a married father-of-four, said.
"I was fairly confident, the way I was playing, and I had no substantial injuries."
He told of the moment in the dressing room when it dawned his injury was "a real concern" as his body temperature plummeted.
"You can't move and you're staring at the ceiling," he said.
The court heard McCracken was also a mover off-field in the property market, but had to sell a Gold Coast beachfront investment due to his health woes.
At the time, he was contracted to buy 57 Albatross Ave, Mermaid Beach, as part of a planned commercial development with an adjoining waterfront block bought earlier. Instead, McCracken made a "forced sale" of No.41 to meet his obligations.
"I had two years with Wests Tigers so I thought there was ample time ... to do the development," McCracken said.
He was "worried" as the relationship with Tigers "broke down" before the parties agreed on a payout of $120,000.
The case continues today.
By VIVA GOLDNER Court Reporter
February 15, 2005
AS A keen property investor, former league star-turned-developer Jarrod McCracken had far more riding on his career than sporting glory.
McCracken put "just about all" his earnings from his first-grade contract with Wests Tigers into real estate -- until an illegal tackle ended his career five years ago.
Yesterday the Supreme Court became the playing field for a legal battle between 34-year-old McCracken and Melbourne Storm and its players Stephen Kearney and Marcus Bai.
Ex-Tigers captain McCracken claims the Storm and its two players were liable for the serious neck injury he suffered in a "dangerous throw" in the 27th minute of a match at Storm's Olympic Park in May 2000.
The court heard McCracken was "lifted up ... turned and speared in a vertical position to the ground" by former Kiwi teammate Kearney and Bai, with his head taking the impact.
McCracken is suing for loss of earnings and opportunity, claiming the incident halted his stellar career -- and dented his beachfront property portfolio.
McCracken's barrister Bernard Gross QC said loss of income flowed from the early termination of his two-year contract with Tigers, worth $300,000 a season.
McCracken played 163 first-grade games.
Prior to the accident, Mr Gross said a three-year stint with England was also envisaged for the "distinguished rugby league player of great ability and fame".
"I don't like to give myself too much of a wrap, but I was playing my best," McCracken, a married father-of-four, said.
"I was fairly confident, the way I was playing, and I had no substantial injuries."
He told of the moment in the dressing room when it dawned his injury was "a real concern" as his body temperature plummeted.
"You can't move and you're staring at the ceiling," he said.
The court heard McCracken was also a mover off-field in the property market, but had to sell a Gold Coast beachfront investment due to his health woes.
At the time, he was contracted to buy 57 Albatross Ave, Mermaid Beach, as part of a planned commercial development with an adjoining waterfront block bought earlier. Instead, McCracken made a "forced sale" of No.41 to meet his obligations.
"I had two years with Wests Tigers so I thought there was ample time ... to do the development," McCracken said.
He was "worried" as the relationship with Tigers "broke down" before the parties agreed on a payout of $120,000.
The case continues today.
and yeah, selectors DO get it wrong sometimes, at least in the eyes of us fans, you'll always going to see a thread on these parts criticizing rep team selections.
