A lot has changed since former Rugby League star Mario Fenech hung up the boots almost 20 years ago at the age of 35.
All football codes have since brought in strict concussion rules designed to help players avoid long term problems.
But they’ve come too late for the 54-year-old former South Sydney and North Sydney Bears hooker. He told SBS he’s now on medication used for dementia and yet he has no regrets about his career.
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“I owe Rugby League a lot, Rugby League has been my life, without Rugby League I don’t know what I would have done,” he said.
The son of Maltese immigrants was always a fiery character on field, but his confrontational style also contributed to around eight or nine concussions a season in a career that spanned 15 years.
He admits he played a part in his current problems with brain damage by refusing to leave the field after suffering concussions.
“I said, no, no, I’m the captain I’m not leaving the field so in a way I hurt myself,” he said.
He now works out four times a week and finds the dementia medication is helping him with memory problems. But the fact he needs medication at such a young age is a concern.
Neurosurgeon Dr Rodney Allan said people’s responsiveness to certain forms of medications can change over time and needs constant monitoring.
“The concern is he’s very young and what’s going to happen in 10 or 20 years?" Dr Allan said.
"Is he still going to respond to these treatments?"
Fenech though is just happy the treatment seems to be working for him and he’s grateful for that.
He continues to work as an ambassador for the NRL’s One Community charity program.
