Kato Ottio? Yes that's the worst example, but the one which set the stage was back in 1990. Danny Shepherd was a prop with the Roosters. He collapsed with heat stroke during a game on the Gold Coast and spent 10 days in a coma. He made a full recovery but never played league again. As such it is not as if this issue is a "recent" one.
The problem is (last time I saw it) the NRL's heat policy with a drinks break every 20 minutes only happens if both club's Doctors agree. AS such, I wonder which Doctor did not want them as it is silly to think they were not needed. I mean for junior league competitions, this is what the ARLC policy regarding extreme heat -
https://playnrl.com/media/1936/heat-guidelines_with-changes1.pdf
Makes for interesting reading.
Firstly, Brookvale Oval is not near Observatory Hill, which is where temperature readings for Sydney are taken. Also, you are aware that temperatures are often measured in the shade? (Source:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-...treme-heat-isnt-as-simple-as-it-seems/9325132)
It was reported they measured the temperature in the middle of Brookvale Oval on Sunday and by kick-off it was measured at 40 degrees celsius. As such it is not great weather to play league in. That said it is negligent of the club medicos and the NRL to not have had water breaks at 20 minutes into each half. If a player goes down with heat stroke in a game with no water breaks, the NRL and the clubs leave themselves open to a very big law suit from the effected player.
