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Last week Tim Moltzen joined a most undesired list: players who had their career severely affected or cut short due to injury.
The players below are 13 of the most recognised, with video links to the injuries attached where available.
Jharal Yow Yeh
The talented Queensland winger played 60 games for Broncos, three Origins and three Tests for Australia.
He was on the verge of becoming a mainstay in the Queensland squad before snapping his lower leg in Round 4 game of 2012 against the Warriors. After extensive surgery and rehabilitation, Yow Yeh made it back to Queensland Cup, but his ankle never regained full strength and he was forced to retire in 2014.
Tim Moltzen
At the time of his debut for Tigers in 2008 he already had a plate in the back of his skull from playing junior rugby league. Played 90 games over eight seasons in a career that was interrupted by five ACL injuries. Signed for the Sea Eagles in 2016, but was forced to retire due to a chronic knee injury.
Some of Moltzen’s best
Simon Dwyer
Another product of the Tigers, Dwyer debuted in 2009, was club Rookie of Year in 2010, had represented City and was brought into the NSW development squad before a Brachial plexus injury against Dogs in 2011 saw him miss the rest of season.
Despite surgeries in which nerves were redirected from diaphragm and scapula into right shoulder and arm, the injury never fully healed. He has yet to officially retire and is currently coaching City Origin with Brad Fitler.
The video below isn’t the injury, but still a cracking hit from Dwyer.
Taniela Tuiaki
Debuted for Tigers in 2006, playing 78 club games, as well as three Tests for Tonga and four for New Zealand. He was the 2009 Dally M winger of the year, however in Round 24 of that year he broke his ankle against the Eels.
Missed the entire 2010 season and despite multiple surgeries the ankle never regained full strength, forcing him to retire in 2011.
Highlights of Tuiaki’s brief but exceptional career.
Alex McKinnon
A career of 40 matches over four seasons for the Dragons and Knights was cut short in Round 3 of 2014 against the Storm, suffering two fractured neck vertebrae. Alex is now facing the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Jarrod McCraken
Had a career longer than most on the list, but gets a mention due to the brutality of the spear tackle that ended his career. McCraken successfully sued the players involved – Marcus Bai and current Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney – as well as the Melbourne Storm.
Adam Ritson
Playing for Parramatta against the Raiders in 1996, Ritson was knocked unconscious in a dangerous high tackle, resulting in a life-threatening brain cyst. Had to undergo 14 operations, retired at age 20, and received an out-of-court settlement from Canberra.
Richie Fa’oso
Like McCraken, Fa’oso had a relatively long NRL career, which was nevertheless cut short in the 2013 preliminary final, as he suffered a broken neck playing for Manly against the Rabbitohs.
Advised never to play again, he initially retired but made a comeback with Parramatta in 2015. However he was knocked unconscious in a match against the Knights and retired shortly after.
Kyle Stanley
Having played three Tests for Samoa, Stanley was being courted by New Zealand and Australia for services, having been earmarked as a future NSW Origin player. However, after five ACL injuries and subsequent surgeries, was forced to retire at the age of 24.
His brother, Chase Stanley, is unfortunately heading down the same road, with multiple injuries stalling his career.
Stanley highlights.
Paul Hauff
The Broncos fullback debuted in 1990, played 51 games over three season, as well as three Origins for Queensland in 1991 and a Test for Australia against New Zealand.
In 1992 Hauff suffered a shoulder injury that required a complete reconstruction, which never regained full strength, forcing him to retire in 1996.
Darryl ‘Big Marn’ Brohman
Had an accomplished career of 114 games between 1979 and 1987, but his representative career was violently cut short.
In the opening match of the 1983 Origin series, Brohman had his jaw broken by an elbow ‘tackle’ from Les Boyd, which ended his season. Brohman would never again play for Queensland or represent Australia, while Boyd played eight matches for NSW and 17 for Australia.
Shaun Valentine
Suffered seven concussions in an 18-month period, forcing him to retire at the age of 26.
The effects of these concussions have been ongoing, with Valentine still suffering after-affects like short-term memory loss, seizures, dizziness, nausea and migraines. He has struggled to secure long-term employment and has agreed to donate his brain to Boston University to research the effects of repetitive head trauma.
Daniel Conn
Fringe first grader for most of his career, Conn’s career was abruptly brought to an end in Round 12, 2011, when he suffered a neck injury. He required major surgery to have his spine fused, and on the advice of doctors, Conn retired at 25.
I have barely scratched the surface of players who have had careers ended due to injury, which puts in perspective the challenges faced by professional footy players, knowing everything they have worked for could be over in an instant.
If you have any other examples of unfortunate individuals feel free to comment below.
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