A group of Aussie former athletes and doctors are on the verge of a medical breakthrough that could find a cure for concussion-related dementia by diagnosing CTE in living individuals.
At present Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy – or CTE – can only be detected once a person has died and this vital step could eventually lead to a cure.
Led by former North Sydney Bears prop Josh Stuart and ex-NFL star Colin Scotts, the group is set to approach the NRL for funding and assistance.
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Using the expertise of Dr Michael Buckland, a world-renowned expert in concussion and its devastating effects on sportsmen, the group hopes to prevent future generations of football stars from contracting the disease that slowly eats away at the brain and often leads to death.
“Our group, Brain 4 Life Ltd, believes in a future where the devastating impact of brain diseases like CTE can be reversed, where diagnosis during life and targeted treatments are not only possible, but within reach,” Stuart told Wide World of Sports.
Josh Stuart playing for Manly in 2001. Â Getty
“We are developing the first-ever diagnostic test for CTE in living individuals.
“I had several concussions during my career and had early signs of dementia and got tested.
“I undertook a series of tests and challenges, took specialised peptides and had laser treatment — and six months later, I showed signs of improvement.
“It’s early days but we believe we are on the right path to finding a cure and reversing CTE.
“Colin is also developing, with the help of scientists, a formula in the shape of a powder that will be available next year for those showing symptoms of CTE.”
The group has set up a charity which can be found on their website Brain4Life.org.
“Unfortunately the research and development isn’t cheap but if we can find a cure it will be well worth it,” Stuart said.
Jack Hetherington in action with the Knights. NRL Imagery
Did Bellamy secure the ‘buy of the season’?
Even before Eli Katoa’s tragic accident, this column told you that fiery forward Jack Hetherington was Melbourne bound.
And the connection between Hetherington and Storm coach Craig Bellamy goes back over three decades.
Hetherington’s dad Brett was a team-mate of Bellamy at the Canberra Raiders back in the mid 1990s and the pair have remained mates.
So when the possibility of the former Knights forward moving to Melbourne came up, the two had a lengthy chat.
Hetherington is a classic Bellamy player – a guy who hasn’t reached his potential to date in his career – and I’m tipping him to be one of the buys of the season in 2026.
Titans gun following in grandfather’s footsteps
Lily Kolc has signed a new deal with the Titans in the NRLW – and few players in the game have a more fascinating background.
A talented 21-year-old hooker, Kolc’s great grandparents came from Poland, where they survived the horrors of being locked up in one of Germany’s notorious concentration camps.
Lily Kolc of the Titan runs the ball. Getty
They moved to Australia after World War II and had a son, John, one of the smallest men to play top grade rugby league.
Against the odds, John – Lily’s grandfather – made it to first grade, playing in Parramatta’s first ever grand final in 1976 and scoring the try that sealed Australia’s win in the 1977 World Cup final the following year.
Now that’s a family history her teammates at the Titans will find hard to beat when sitting around chatting after training.
Payten’s ‘handy pick-up’
The Cowboys have signed an impressive back-row/centre from the Dolphins’ development system to a three-year deal.
James Walsh was a standout in the Queensland Cup last season, crossing for eight tries and breaking 52 tackles across 16 games for both Redcliffe and the Central Queensland Capras.
In one game alone against the PNG Hunters, he scored four tries and made over 200 run metres.
Big enough to play in the forwards and fast enough for the outside backs, he should prove a handy pick-up for Todd Payten’s Cowboys.