I’ve never played rugby league. I can’t claim to know what it takes run, ball in hand, at pace.
Trying to break through men so hell bent on stopping you dead in your tracks, that they hurl themselves in your direction. All more than 100 kilograms of muscular physique.
But this 22-year-old from Aberdeen, Alex McKinnon, he knows it all too well.
Debuting for the Dragons in 2011, Alex went on to play 49 NRL games, mainly in the second row. He crossed the line six times. Amazingly, two of those were during his NRL debut.
Alex’s rise to the top level is impressive. He was named in the NYC’s team of the year in 2011, and made the Under-20s NSW State of Origin team the following year. NSW won that match.
After his first year at the Knights, Alex made another career highlight, captaining the Junior Kangaroos to a 48-16 thrashing of the Junior Kiwis.
Last year he represented Country rugby league in their win over City in the City versus Country clash. This is a man set for big things in the great game. A sky blue jersey was in his reach.
Alex has come out this week proclaiming that ‘rugby league is a safe game’. An extremely honourable and noble gesture, given his current situation. It’s a testament to a young man who continues to inspire fans, young and old.
What he gracefully omitted, is that it can also be a cruel game. And I’m not talking about the devastation of losing a Origin series by a field goal, or a finals match on the back of referee blunders. They’re tough to take as a fan, so for players it could be magnified significantly.
No, it’s the sacrifices they make to their health, and the negative effect the big hits and leg twists have on the body. Players have overcome broken legs or arms and continued to play on. Others have carried on for years dealing with niggling injuries. Forever strapping ice bags to knees, laying off the booze, modified training regiments. If they manage the issue, they can manage the game.
However, not everyone’s been so fortunate.
In 2012 Michael Greenfield was forced to retire from the NRL after breaking his neck. He was 26. It came on the back of a now banned shoulder charge.
This year has already seen Richie Fa’aoso retire after fracturing a vertebrae in his neck during a fierce battle against the Bunnies in last year’s semi final victory. Funny man Beau Ryan bowed out after an ongoing neck injury. Liam Fulton from repeated concussions. Jharal Yow Yeh announced his retirement after conceding his two-year battle to overcome injuries was over.
Which brings us back to Alex. Unlike all these players mentioned, Alex isn’t fighting to make a career comeback, he’s fighting to walk again.
Currently confined to a wheelchair, Alex has vowed to walk his fiancé down the aisle. And from all accounts from those who know the man, Alex has what it takes to make this happen. The courage and character of an all round nice guy. Hardworking, determined, humble, and most importantly, a positive attitude.
So why wouldn’t fans Rise for Alex? And rise they have. Through donations, outpour of support and encouragement. This round may be for Alex, but hopefully it’ll also help portray the values and spirit of the NRL community, that too often get overshadowed by scandals, controversy, match official stuff-ups, and media speculation of player disharmony and board room dramas.
So, enjoy this round of footy. All the best to your team this round, unless you follow the Dragons.
And as you watch a game, spare a thought for the likes of Alex McKinnon, may he continue to make progress and succeed in rising to his feet, and walking once more.
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