Almost two years ago, Simon Dwyer’s right arm was rendered useless after trying to complete a tackle on Bulldogs prop Michael Hodsgon.
To this day neither the NRL or the Player’s Association has contacted him. It’s a crying shame, especially in light of what the NRL and the Newcastle Knights have done for Alex McKinnon.
The former Wests Tigers second rower tore five nerves off his spinal column in the incident. He is still wearing a sling.
Dwyer has also had suffered seizures due to the painkillers that he takes to numb the ever-present pain in his right shoulder. He has had to learn to write with his left hand and can only drive an automatic car.
So what about the positives?
Well for one, ex-Rooster Brad Fitler made Dwyer his first staffing appointment when he took on the coaching role of the City Origin team in 2012.
The Tigers could not fit him under the salary cap as part of the deal they were trying to conclude before Dwyer’s injury. So the club put him on a three-year deal as part of the staff at the club. He assists head coach Mick Potter with video sessions as well as match day stats.
Dwyer has expressed his desire to stay in the role, with his contract finishing at the end of the year, but will the Tigers keep him on their books?
It would be a big slight on the game if we saw this once-promising youngster slip even further into the shadows of the game.
The NRL should also come forward and help out in this situation, as they haven’t even bothered to get in contact so far. This, after all, is a young man, 25 years old, who has had to buy an acupuncture set out of his own pocket and paid for the daily physiotherapy and weights sessions needed for his recovery.
It is a shame that such a young career has been cut short by a devastating injury. Former coach Tim Sheens described Dwyer as a young ‘Brad Clyde’, and who could forget his bell ringer on Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves?
Hopefully you’re listening NRL. At least give the young bloke a ring, it’s the least he deserves.
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