“This perhaps reinforces a conclusion, together with the identified deficiencies in Manly’s record keeping, that prevention of another incidence of exertional heat illness involving a player was not always at the forefront of the consideration of relevant staff at Manly prior to 23 November 2020.”
After reflecting on the findings of the inquest, Lafo said she was compelled to take action.
The Titmuss family remembering Keith at their home in 2021.Credit: James Brickwood, SMH
“After understanding how Keithy died through the coronial inquest, we all concluded that Keithy’s death was 100 per cent preventable had Manly taken actions after the incident that happened with Lloyd Perrett, a couple of years prior to Keithy’s death,” Lafo claimed.
“It’s shocking to the family … We’re thinking what more we can do to raise awareness that heat exertion is a very real thing in our game today.”
Lafo said Titmuss had been robbed of his life-long dream of making his NRL debut.
“He was so looking forward to it, he was beaming about what his future looked like,” she said. “It was going exactly how he had planned [with us] since he was six. He was so happy, we loved to hear his aspirations of being an NRL player … It hurts us that he never got to experience [his dream].
Keith Titmuss in action for Manly’s Jersey Flegg team in 2019.Credit: NRL Photos
“On the day that Keith died, I remember [brother] Jesse going, ‘Why did this happen? It happened to Lloyd two years ago.’
“And I’m like ‘Woah. It shouldn’t have happened.’”
Lafo claims the club failed in its duty of care by not providing a graduated return to training after an off-season break.
“Keithy’s training schedule on his last day of seasonal training was identical to his first day coming back from holidays,” she said. “It was not gradual, it was like Keith had to move like an endurance athlete with his body at peak … Why couldn’t it be gradual?”
Lafo said the family was still struggling to process the loss of Titmuss.
“We were looking forward to what his future held,” she said. “Every day we continue to live life as best as we can, but we have a deep soul piece that’s missing in our lives.
“We just know it will never be full. We look at our grandbabies, how much they’ve missed out on in not getting to know their uncle and how great he was. How funny he was.
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“Keith’s birthday was last Thursday and, as it has been for every other birthday since his passing, it was very hard.
“Of course it always comes back to it shouldn’t have happened. It was absolutely preventable.
“The mental health [issues] it has created, the first two years we’re just walking around doing what we needed to do, but really just focusing Jesse and [sister] Zara. Jesse didn’t work for a whole year after Keith died.
“Money doesn’t soothe the impact that their poor decision has had on us.
“Our quality of life has absolutely lessened. We don’t enjoy true joy any more … We just want justice for our family.”
A Sea Eagles spokesperson said: “Out of respect to the Titmuss family and current court proceedings, it’s not appropriate at this time to make any comment.”
