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For weeks, Panthers winger Brian To\u2019o has worn headgear at the start of games but often returns for the second half without it.<\/p>\n
In last week\u2019s preliminary final against Melbourne, he didn\u2019t even make it to half-time before ripping it off and throwing it to a trainer.<\/p>\n
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Stephen Crichton and Brian To\u2019o celebrate a try against Manly. It was the first time To\u2019o had worn headgear during an NRL game.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>NRL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n Among the questions To\u2019o has had to answer during grand final week, the greatest intrigue was about his headgear.<\/p>\n To\u2019o had played his whole career without it but then, against Manly in round six this year, he ran onto the field sporting Madison headgear.<\/p>\n Why did he start wearing it? And why, if the headgear was so important, was he unable to finish a game with it still on?<\/p>\n The winger facetiously raises the safety benefits, but there is more to it than that.<\/p>\n Brian To\u2019o has made a habit of starting games wearing a headgear, before taking it off.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>NRL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cIt was to piss off \u2018Critta\u2019,\u201d he says, referring to close friend Stephen Crichton, who started wearing headgear last year because of a gash on his ear.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I wear it all the time. The more it kept annoying him, the more I kept putting it on. He always tells me, \u2018Stop copying me\u2019. I wanted to wear it even more because he hated it. If he\u2019s not happy with it, I\u2019ll wear it. He just hates it.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said, \u2018You won\u2019t wear it for the game\u2019. That made me want to wear it every game.\u201d<\/p>\n Further investigation, by questioning Crichton, leads to more detail about Too\u2019s motivations.<\/p>\n To\u2019o and Crichton wearing headgear during State of Origin this year.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>NRL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cHe said to me, \u2018You look like an idiot, why would you do that?\u2019, then the next training session he ran out with headgear on,\u201d Crichton said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe did it once at training and he made a line break against our NSW Cup side, so he said he would try it on the weekend. Then he scored a double first time wearing it in a game so [it was], \u2018I want to copy Critta and wear the headgear\u2019. Anyone who asks him though, he\u2019ll tell them it\u2019s for safety.\u201d<\/p>\n Recently, viewers have noticed the headgear doesn\u2019t last until the end of the game.<\/p>\n In most instances, To\u2019o takes it off at half-time, but against the Storm last Friday, it was gone midway through the first half.<\/p>\n To\u2019o\u2019s desire to make fun of Crichton is stronger than the discomfort, but frustration with opposition players tugging at the headgear takes its toll.<\/p>\n \u201cThe velcro keeps coming off,\u201d he said. \u201cIt annoys me a bit, so it comes off when I start fiddling around with it. By that stage, I\u2019ve done my job. I\u2019ve annoyed Critta, so it can come off.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the NRL Grand Final Exclusive Live and Free on Channel 9 and <\/i><\/b>9Now<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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