“It was tough, we were all under fatigue,” Trbojevic said. “In looking at him, you would think he has done a hard session, but in looking at everyone else, you would say the same.”

Trbojevic felt that the staff and coaches at the time, led by Des Hasler, were approachable if a player had an issue. He added that was also the case under current mentor Anthony Seibold. “I wouldn’t be shy telling them,” Trbojevic said.

The Manly staff recently held a brief information session for the players on heat stroke, including how to identify and treat the issue. Asked why he thought other clubs could benefit from similar presentations, Trbojevic said: “To prevent something like this to ever happen again.”

The inquest is examining the appropriateness of the response of Manly’s players and support staff to Titmuss’ medical emergency, and whether the training was too intense for his level of fitness. The inquest is not a criminal trial and no Manly coach or staff member has been accused of any criminal conduct.

Professor Anna Holdgate, a NSW ambulance expert who appeared in court on Tuesday, said Titmuss was suffering seizures, low oxygen levels and “extreme hyperthermia”. She added that the attending paramedic response was “completely appropriate given the challenges they were facing”.

Loading

The Sea Eagles posthumously named Titmuss their 623rd top-grade player and awarded a jersey with the number on it to his family.

“Good kid, really nice. Humble kid. Doesn’t talk much, leads by his actions. Very nice kid, very quiet,” Suli said when asked to describe Titmuss.

“He trained hard, he had a big future ahead of him. He was probably going to make his debut in the coming years. He was a really good player. He was trying to fight for a spot in our team.”

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.