Hasler: Fatal training ‘six to seven’ out of 10

NRL coach Des Hasler rated the Manly training session which preceded the death of Keith Titmuss as six or seven out of 10 for toughness.

A probe into the 20-year-old’s death continued yesterday, as the premiership-winning coach gave evidence more than three years after the promising player fell ill during a preseason training in November 2020.

Titmuss suffered a seizure after a cardio workout at the club’s base at Narrabeen, on Sydney’s northern beaches, and died five hours later in hospital.

The inquest previously heard he most likely suffered exertional heat stroke, although an autopsy was unable to confirm his cause of death.

Paramedics who arrived at the scene noted Titmuss’ temperature was 41.9 degrees Celsius, while his heart rate was above 140 beats a minute.

But coaching staff and medical practitioners did not identify that Titmuss was suffering heat stroke, treating the symptoms of his seizure instead.

Titmuss took part in a 90-minute outdoor field session before heading indoors to the club’s “dojo” for a 10-minute cardio session, doing exercises including burpees and fireman’s carries.

Hasler, now the Gold Coast Titans coach, yesterday told the court that he was indoors as the players were stretching and was present when Titmuss suffered cramps and then a seizure.

Asked to assess how strenuous the training session was, Hasler described it as a “six to seven” out of 10. Hasler addressed the Titmuss family members who are attending the inquest.

“Keith was a beautiful boy, he was much loved, very highly regarded and highly respected,” Hasler said as the Titmuss family sat in the back of the court.

“I’m so, so sorry and I share your heartbreak, I really do.”