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Paralysed Alex McKinnon sues the NRL for millions over tackle

Alex McKinnon is employed by the NRL-owned Newcastle Knights in a recruitment role.

Alex McKinnon is employed by the NRL-owned Newcastle Knights in a recruitment role. Photo: Getty

Paralysed rugby league player Alex McKinnon reportedly plans to sue the NRL and another player over the 2014 on-field tackle that left him in a wheelchair.

The former Newcastle forward’s legal representatives sent a letter to the NRL last week, according to News Corp Australia.

The lawsuit is also reported to include Melbourne’s Jordan McLean, who was handed a seven-game NRL ban for his involvement in a three-man spear tackle that left McKinnon with a spinal injury.

It is understood McLean is being personally sued by McKinnon over the March 2014 incident at AAMI Park.

But an NRL spokesperson told AAP the league believes no claim has been lodged, and has been in contact with McKinnon’s lawyer.

The 24-year-old McKinnon’s rugby league career was cut short by the tackle that has left him in a wheelchair.

Injured Knights player Alex McKinnon with fiancee Teigan Power. Photo: Supplied.

Injured Knights player Alex McKinnon with fiancee Teigan Power. Photo: Supplied.

He expressed a desire to sue last year despite receiving the maximum $500,000 compensation payout from the NRL and around $1.2 million for his medical costs through fundraising efforts.

But McKinnon, whose legal team has reportedly met with NRL boss Todd Greenberg, has said that will be nowhere near enough in the long-term.

“I had no idea how much this injury was going to cost,” he told the Nine Network in July 2015.

“I didn’t know until two weeks ago it cost $100,000 for me to get out of bed in the morning.

“I just need to know how much it is going to cost me, how much money I have and where I (am) going to get that money from.”

NRL club Melbourne Storm has declined to comment.

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