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 The Daily Telegraph.

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.

A Channel Nine reporter this morning said McKinnon’s decision was “an unprecedented move in rugby league history”.

“The NRL has never had a player begin legal proceedings over an injury caused in the sport,” she said.

“While players may have pursued other players, it’s certainly never brought the governing body of the sport into a legal situation in this way.”

Alex McKinnon is reportedly suing the @NRL and @storm player over the tackle that left him in a wheelchair. #9News https://t.co/DGklbRRILw — Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 18, 2016

Rugby League Players Association president and former Newcastle player Clint Newton said McKinnon had to do what was best for him.

“We’ll make sure that we get across it and obviously Alex is in his position that he finds himself in and he’s got to do what’s best for him. Hopefully we’ll stay in the loop and see what the process comes out with,” he said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.

Co-host and former NRL player Jimmy Smith said the whole saga was damaging for the sport.

“It’s had a huge impact on Alex McKinnon’s life and it’s going to have a significant impact on the life of Jordan McLean as he prepares for season 2017. The point to take out of that is he is preparing for season 2017 and Alex McKinnon is in a wheelchair and that’s the thing you can’t get away from,” Smith said.

“It does do damage to the game of rugby league because in my mind there wasn’t a real intent from Jordan McLean. It’s a dangerous sport and it’s a little bit like the Phillip Hughes incident — it’s one of those freakish accidents that can happen.

“But in saying that this is a guy who’s confined to a wheelchair that has to live the rest of his life like that.

“There were two other players in the tackle as well, so how do you take that into consideration?”

Stuart Clark said McLean deserved some sympathy too.

“You’ve got to feel a little bit of compassion for him (McLean) because he’s right in the middle of it all.”

Rugby league commentator Craig Hamilton said McKinnon’s reaction was to be expected, but he felt for McLean.

“I don’t think anyone should be surprised by it,” Hamilton said on 1233 ABC Newcastle. “I think this was always coming because the player, whoever it is, has got to look after their own interests and if there is fault and if there is liability … you do have an opportunity to get redressed through the law.

“If there is, within the law, an opportunity to make a case … then I don’t blame them and I’m not surprised that they’re going down that path.

“What’s Alex and his fiance’s life going to be like? It’s not about the situation right at this moment. He does have employment but I believe it’s not about right now, it’s a long term issue for Alex.

“It’s a very harsh, cold reminder about what can go wrong.

“He (McLean) took the whole thing very hard at the time, which is understandable, and this is going to bring an awful lot of that day up for Jordan McLean, so we’ve got to spare a thought for Jordan McLean, absolutely.”

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

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 have declined to comment.