The rugby league player responsible for the tackle that killed Sunshine Coast Falcons' player James Ackerman has told the Coroners Court he was taught tackling techniques at the Broncos but not specifically how to avoid shoulder charges.
Francis Molo fought back tears while giving evidence at the inquiry in Brisbane today.
James Ackerman, 25, suffered serious whiplash and was knocked unconscious when he was shoulder charged by the then-Broncos recruit during a Queensland Cup game in June 2015.
The father of two died in hospital two days later when his family switched off his life support.
Molo told the court today he did not intend to shoulder charge Ackerman, but did not quite understand the shoulder charge rules.
"I didn't deliberately shoulder charge him. I was there to do my job: to play hard and tackle hard," he said.
"I didn't think that what I'd done was a shoulder charge.
"It was a pretty big impact tackle ... I was a bit scared myself."
He said he had never seen the recording of the fatal incident and did not want to.
The coroner decided he would not be forced to watch it today.
Molo told the court he did not recall the Broncos, Norths or QRL raising the issue of the fatal tackle with him.
"No-one ever discussed the incident with me," he said.
Molo was provided counselling and was coached in tackling techniques but said he could not recall being specifically taught how to avoid shoulder charges.
The inquest also heard Molo was suspended twice in 2016 for shoulder charge offences.
Shoulder charges were banned from the sport in 2012 and the inquest is looking at ways of improving safety in the game.
In his evidence, Broncos chief executive Paul White told the court the nature of the contact sport meant "the likelihood of an imperfect outcome is always going to be present".
"Sometimes a really innocuous incident can lead to dramatic consequences," he said.
Outside court Mr White told media he hoped the inquest could provide some closure to those affected.
"We absolutely provided the necessary welfare and support and addressed the incident with Francis," he said.
"Today was also about trying to bring some closure to an event which has had some wide-reaching ramifications for the rugby league community."
