NRL fans are rallying around former Roosters player Nat Wood after he revealed he’s been diagnosed with probable CTE. The 53-year-old was a cult hero for the Roosters, playing 78 games for the club between 1995 and 2000.
He also played 19 games for the Balmain Tigers from 1993 to 1994, and 17 games for the Warriors in 2001. He was known as one of the toughest players in the NRL before he finished his career in the English Super League with Wakefield Trinity and Warrington.
Outside of his career with the Roosters, he made a name for himself while playing 90 games for Warrington between 2002 and 2005. But speaking on SEN radio on Tuesday, Wood opened up about the effects of playing in an era before concussion protocols.
Nat Wood (R) and former Roosters teammate Bryan Fletcher (second from left). Image: SEN/Getty
The 53-year-old revealed doctors have told him he’s likely got CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), which is a brain disorder that can only be diagnosed properly after death. Wally Lewis, Mark Carroll and Mario Fenech have also been diagnosed with probable CTE in recent years, while Corey Parker admitted last year he has no doubts he’s also got it.
“About 18 months ago I was diagnosed,” Wood said on SEN radio alongside former Roosters teammate Bryan Fletcher and ex-NRL player Joel Caine. “The only reason I found out was because a mate of mine in England (was speaking about it).
“I asked him what the symptoms are and I was like ‘mate I’ve had that for ages’. He said ‘you’ve got to get tested’ and I initially didn’t want to know, but he said ‘you’ve got to know’. There’s no cure for it or anything like that as of yet.
“I knew there were things going on with me that weren’t normal, but I just kept it dark (to myself) as you do. I ended up getting tested and got a pretty poor result. I got 133 scans and 108 were abnormal.”
Nat Wood (R) in action for the Warriors in 2001. (Image: Nigel Marple/ALLSPORT via Getty)
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Wood played in an era where toughness and courage were commended to the extent that players went back on the field after serious head knocks. Nowadays, there are more stringent rules around ruling players out of games after they’ve been concussed, as well as how long they have to sit out afterwards.
Wood revealed he was hospitalised after his first serious head knock at Under-21 level, and estimates he was knocked out at least twice per season throughout his career. “When I had my first really serious concussion, I went home and went to sleep and lost my eyesight,” Wood revealed. “I was in intensive care for two days, completely blind. I had to have a year off footy and start from scratch.
“When I came back, from that time to when I retired I probably got knocked out twice a season. The chances of coming through that unscathed are pretty much zero.”
Nat Wood raising money and awareness for CTE
Wood revealed his brother Garth also has some symptoms, while father Barry has Parkinson’s disease. The 53-year-old is now raising money for CTE research through his 99Hiitbox Standing 8 Punch & Burpee Challenge. The physical exercise initiative is raising funds for the Sydney Brain Bank at NeuRA Australia.
Wood said he created the challenge “as a way to turn my experience into something positive – a platform to raise awareness, start conversations, and support the incredible work being done in Australia to understand and treat brain injury. Research is critical for players, families, and anyone affected by CTE, concussion-related decline, or traumatic brain injury.”
NRL world full of praise for Nat Wood
Wood was on air when news came through that Eli Katoa won’t play for the Melbourne Storm for the entirety of 2026 after suffering a brain bleed in the Pacific Championships. Wood said: “Eli Katoa has a big future and a long career ahead of him, but if I was him knowing what we know today, you have to seriously consider your health.”
On social media, fans commended Wood for his courage to speak out on his plight and raise more awareness for CTE. One person wrote: “Thank you for your honesty Nat. Hope pray you live your best life along with your family. It’s a serious situation. More needs to be done in this area.”
Former Panthers and Sharks player Martin Lang wrote: “Unfortunately, a definitive CTE diagnosis is only possible posthumously. Further research is required. I applaud Nat Wood for helping raise awareness though.”