Former Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks prop Keith Galloway has spoken candidly about the profound impact the suicide of a young teammate had on him, revealing it fundamentally shifted his approach to mental health.
Galloway, 40, who played 210 NRL games and represented Australia, recalled the death of rising star Mosese Fotuaika in 2013. Fotuaika, just 20 years old, took his own life after learning he may have torn a pectoral muscle during a gym session, a setback that could have sidelined him for months.
A Changed Perspective on Speaking Up
Reflecting on the tragedy, Galloway admitted he had previously bottled up his emotions but has since changed his outlook. 'I've probably bottled a lot of stuff up in the past, but I've changed my outlook on that sort of area of life where men have got to speak,' he told the Everything Counts podcast.
'I had a young teammate, Mosese, who committed suicide a while back now. If only he spoke and people knew what he was going through, we probably could've put our arms around him a little bit more,' Galloway added.
The Tragic Circumstances
Fotuaika, considered one of the game's most promising forwards, died at his Merrylands townhouse. His teammate Ben Murdoch-Masila had dropped him home but found no answer when returning 30 minutes later. Fotuaika's body was discovered by his girlfriend, Shanice Alaiasa, who was heavily pregnant at the time.
Fotuaika had not yet received a definitive diagnosis on the injury, as scans were pending. The news of a potential lengthy recovery deeply affected him.
Mosese is the brother of current Queensland Origin star Moeaki Fotuaika.
Galloway's revelation underscores the importance of mental health awareness and open communication, particularly among men in high-pressure environments like professional sports.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.
