Coroner rules Brisbane Broncos should have addressed Franics Molo's tackling technique after James Ackerman death

Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White says the club would take time to consider the Deputy Coroner’s findings involving the death of a rugby league player from a shoulder charge.

A coroner ruled the club should have spoken to Francis Molo about his tackling technique after a player died from being hit with a shoulder charge by the NRL forward.

James Ackerman, 25, died in hospital two days after he was knocked unconscious by Molo during a Queensland Cup game in 2015. An inquest was held earlier in the year with coroner John Lock handing down his findings on Thursday morning.

The rulings found the Broncos should have addressed Molo's tackling technique after he was suspended twice in 2016 for shoulder charges.

Mr White, who appeared at the inquest, said the club had been fully supportive of the inquest from the outset.

He said everyone at the club offered their deepest condolences to the Ackerman family.

“James was someone who loved his rugby league and to lose him this way has been heartbreaking for his family,” said White.

“We all extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Ackerman family and we hope this inquest will go some way to improving safety across the entire game.”

Molo left Brisbane following the incident and has spent the last two seasons playing for Townsville Blackhawks.  His form has seen him rewarded with a contract for the North Queensland Cowboys for the 2018 season.

The NRL banned the shoulder charge in 2013 but Mr Lock said the NRL and the QRL needed to reconsider the stance of only sending players off in extreme circumstances.

He said the leading NRL club had the resources to do so and should have invested more in improving Molo's technique given the subsequent incidents that could have also caused serious injuries.

"Given the tragic outcome, and then the following incidents involving shoulder charges, there should have been some thought, given the issue ... to discuss it more with Francis at an appropriate time," he told the Brisbane Coroners Court.

Mr Lock also said police investigations into the death should have been more transparent but backed the decision not to lay criminal charges.

He said after viewing the video, Molo was not going to "wrap" his arms around Ackerman, a father of two, in a legal tackle.

"He did not place himself in a position to wrap his arms," said Mr Lock.

The hearing was attended by Ackerman's wife, Saraa, and mother, Sonya.