Karl Oloapu

So correct me if I'm wrong as I'm going off what I think I read prior to him getting treatment. That was 12 or so months back. But the genetic issue was that certain vertebra had low density. It was discovered because it led to a bulging disc which was giving him trouble.

Couldn't find the original story, but this is a more recent one post treatment. It's fox sports so not paywalled.

So I'm thinking if it's a bone density thing that maybe his original issue was resolved with the cage. But that there's possibly concerns with other vertebra hiding similar issues if they've given the ok to train, but maybe not do opposed sessions. I'm just going off what others have said here.

All speculation though. And I think that people have thrown up a lot of different scenarios based on very limited information. Even the rumour of him leaving is highly speculative at this stage. So I'm not necessarily sceptical that there's truth to this. But it won't surprise me if he rocks up to training soon and we find out that there's nothing to these rumours.
 
TwinTurbo said:
Very different, Minichielo‘s was actually an injury (which improved with time and treatment) whereas Oloapu‘s is genetic (which gets worse over time).

Based on the limited information, the only view we can have is that the surgeon who did the cage operation (that we paid for) has advised us that he no longer train and play due to the risks. Being told this he sort a second opinion, which he is fully entitled to do. That opinion may well have differed in that he was advised that he could train and play.

It is not at all unusual for 2 doctors, specialists, to disagree, particularly on something as complex as the spinal column. Plus it’s not a direct diagnosis of the current condition, it is a prediction of the future and what might happen.

I am not surprised that we have taken the conservative opinion, it is what a responsible employer would do. Equally I am not at all surprised that Oloapu (his manager and his family) wants to play, firstly he’s a footballer, he lives to play, plus he would be giving up million$ if he agreed to medical retirement.

Only time will tell which is the correct decision.


Team First
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These aren't "complex" surgeries unless the spine is deformed in some way. These surgeries are highly successful. "Elite contact athletes return to competition 73.5% of the time after undergoing ACDF." (That's from a 2017 study & it has become more successful since then).

Return to Play in Elite Contact Athletes After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Meta-Analysis - PMC (nih.gov)
 
Cook said:
Thats the risk component though. My view is if he has clearance from a medical professional or a couple infact we should run with that. I just find it funny if he plays for another club is all. Unless he is somehow shit now. Players return early from injury or play injured all the time. My main point is if he wants to play and has medical advice saying it ok then we should go sweet your on lets rip in.
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What's that saying? Opinions are like bums everybody has one. Even very good doctors can disagree with each other & Doctors get proven wrong constantly. I would suggest that for Karl to play for anybody, he would have to get approval from the games insurer. If the insurer says no, then I would imagine he would have to sue to play. If he were to sue & win, then he would have to indemnify the insurance company from at least spinal & related injuries. Then if he was to play & get injured, he would have to rely on the RL community to help him.

Having said all that, it is usually a highly successful surgery & for a contact sport athlete, a successful return rate of over 70%. All neck injuries are different & not everybody is put together the same.
 
Cook said:
If its a simple case of one Dr says no and one says yes, i get him to play. Its so easy for a professional to err on side of caution in any job, the Dr who says its safe carries more weight imo . If that was the scenario
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Not really. Some doctors are more conservative than others; and then there are cowboys. You would expect that the club would employ one of the best in the country to make a judgement. What does Karl's neck look like? Was it constructed well or poorly?
 
TwinTurbo said:
Exactly, that's why Transfer Fees are not included in the Salary Cap.


Team First
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"if our useable Cap was reduced by the Transfer Fee then the Broncos useable Cap would have to be increased by the same amount"

Well, transfer fees WERE included in the salary cap previously, but nobody's cap was increased like you said, ever. It's a ridiculous idea.

It is NOT the reason.
 
chisdog said:
"if our useable Cap was reduced by the Transfer Fee then the Broncos useable Cap would have to be increased by the same amount"

Well, transfer fees WERE included in the salary cap previously, but nobody's cap was increased like you said, ever. It's a ridiculous idea.

It is NOT the reason.
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You need to read up on how Souffs avoided the Transfer Fee being included, one of their arguments was that if it was included in the calculations for one Cap then it had to be included in both.


Team First
 
Whilst I cannot speak specifically to KO's situation, I can speak of my own experience with genetic spinal conditions. I have had multiple spinal surgeries due to "spurs" These spurs are quite sharp and place pressure on the disc below and in some cases for me have actually pierced or severed the disc resulting in fusion being the only option. I have had the spurs removed from some of my vertebrae but not all and I will continue to have issues for the rest of my life. I am still able to function somewhat normally but I had to give up contact sport many years ago. When playing or not playing football could be the difference between spending the rest of your life in a wheelchair (or worse) I know what my I made and I would do the same again in a heartbeat.
I wish Karl all the best and hope that he makes a full recovery.
 
KO was being looked at playing lock by the club. That position requires lots of defence and will his neck hold up to that? We also have so many players that can cover the lock position.
 
Alan79 said:
So correct me if I'm wrong as I'm going off what I think I read prior to him getting treatment. That was 12 or so months back. But the genetic issue was that certain vertebra had low density. It was discovered because it led to a bulging disc which was giving him trouble.

Couldn't find the original story, but this is a more recent one post treatment. It's fox sports so not paywalled.

So I'm thinking if it's a bone density thing that maybe his original issue was resolved with the cage. But that there's possibly concerns with other vertebra hiding similar issues if they've given the ok to train, but maybe not do opposed sessions. I'm just going off what others have said here.

All speculation though. And I think that people have thrown up a lot of different scenarios based on very limited information. Even the rumour of him leaving is highly speculative at this stage. So I'm not necessarily sceptical that there's truth to this. But it won't surprise me if he rocks up to training soon and we find out that there's nothing to these rumours.
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Best case scenario.
Let's hope so.
 
racin jason said:
Whilst I cannot speak specifically to KO's situation, I can speak of my own experience with genetic spinal conditions. I have had multiple spinal surgeries due to "spurs" These spurs are quite sharp and place pressure on the disc below and in some cases for me have actually pierced or severed the disc resulting in fusion being the only option. I have had the spurs removed from some of my vertebrae but not all and I will continue to have issues for the rest of my life. I am still able to function somewhat normally but I had to give up contact sport many years ago. When playing or not playing football could be the difference between spending the rest of your life in a wheelchair (or worse) I know what my I made and I would do the same again in a heartbeat.
I wish Karl all the best and hope that he makes a full recovery.
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Wow that's a tough situation RJ. Sorry to hear that.
There really is no decision. Freedom to use your limbs or Footy??

I was just wondering what Alex McKinnon would think of the whole KO situation?
Totally different circumstances of course, but potentially a similar outcome (or worse).
 
KO was being looked at playing lock by the club. That position requires lots of defence and will his neck hold up to that? We also have so many players that can cover the lock position.
 
billy beane said:
I'm gutted .... Had him down as our best youngster and long term 13.

Many underestimate him based on his time in first grade where he basically had no chance to show anything as the team were an absolute rabble.

Just the fact he was picked showed how highly he was regarded by CC.

Very unfortunate situation ....
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Agree mostly but of what I saw of him in nrl he never looked to me to be someone who would set the world on fire.
 
Cook said:
If a player wants to play, as been advised its safe to do so. He presents this info to our club, why would our club not say sure. The onus is on the player now is it not?? If he gets bad injury its then up to nrl or men of league to assist long term. I see it as if he wants to we should be risk aware not risk averse
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What if we had a report from a specialist that said there was a high risk of injury and then Karl ends up with a severe injury.

That would be an unacceptable situation and not one we would like to face in a court of law or public opinion.

I have no idea what the situation is! He was an exciting prospect so it will be disappointing for everyone if he can’t realise his potential, especially playing for Canterbury.
 
alic said:
I believe it’s more related to his injury and dogs wouldn’t want to risk another injury like this which could lead to massive implications further down the track if you know what I’m saying ! Let’s just say we running away from a much bigger problem. Let it be another clubs problem
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What injury
 
Stinger said:
I don’t know what you’re saying though. Are you hinting about the guy with the wrestling problem?
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If his spinal issue is still potential high risk to train/play, I assume the Dogs would be very transparent (to a destination club) about this. I cannot imagine any other club taking him (& that risk) on. Not a sound business decision.The Dogs already paid good $ to get him here, only to discover his serious genetic back issue. I assume that condition was unknown or well hidden at the time.
If he is actually offered for transfer, then assume there must be a definitive favourable ruling by several doctors about his playing fitness. Can’t believe a club would take on this (potential career ending) risk if medical opinions are so split, in which case, why would we not keep him? IMO transfer rumours will prove to be false
 
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