J-sin
Juniors
- Messages
- 36
Professional Rugby League is one of the toughest sports in the world and over the years there have been many young players who have had their careers tragically cut short due to injury or other medical reasons. The ones that I wish to discuss are:
Firstly, Adam Ritson, he started with the Sharks as a 16 year old when he was already bigger than most players and had the world at his feet, he came to Parra with Brian Smith's new regime and it looked like we had a great young Prop who would be with us for another 10-12yrs, then came that high tackle from John Lomax and luckily after having scans they found a Tumour on his brain this was a real tragedy from a League perspective as he was only 19 and had all that potential in front of him he would of definately been a long term Origin player and Kangaroo, but for him personally it was probably the luckiest thing that could of happened as if it wasn't detected it could of killed him.
Secondly is a young red headed second rower called Danny Sullivan he was with us from 2001 - 2003 but only played 5 games for us because of knee injuries and complications from surgeries. He was a gun junior and he too could of been anything. He ended up leaving Parra to go to the Warriors (to hook up with Daniel Anderson again) where he only played one game, got another severe knee injury and ultimately had to retire. I always hoped he would come back (as he had such huge potential) but sadly never did.
Lastly I would like to talk about (although not a Parra player, but probably the most tragic) is Sonny Fai, This guy was touted as the "Next big thing", he tragically died trying to heroically save I think it was his young brother and cousins from drowning in the off season after 2009. He could of been anything and although he had played a number of 1st Grade games, he was still an U20's Toyota Cup player.
Anybody wish to discuss these or maybe any other of the many careers that were cut far too short?
Firstly, Adam Ritson, he started with the Sharks as a 16 year old when he was already bigger than most players and had the world at his feet, he came to Parra with Brian Smith's new regime and it looked like we had a great young Prop who would be with us for another 10-12yrs, then came that high tackle from John Lomax and luckily after having scans they found a Tumour on his brain this was a real tragedy from a League perspective as he was only 19 and had all that potential in front of him he would of definately been a long term Origin player and Kangaroo, but for him personally it was probably the luckiest thing that could of happened as if it wasn't detected it could of killed him.
Secondly is a young red headed second rower called Danny Sullivan he was with us from 2001 - 2003 but only played 5 games for us because of knee injuries and complications from surgeries. He was a gun junior and he too could of been anything. He ended up leaving Parra to go to the Warriors (to hook up with Daniel Anderson again) where he only played one game, got another severe knee injury and ultimately had to retire. I always hoped he would come back (as he had such huge potential) but sadly never did.
Lastly I would like to talk about (although not a Parra player, but probably the most tragic) is Sonny Fai, This guy was touted as the "Next big thing", he tragically died trying to heroically save I think it was his young brother and cousins from drowning in the off season after 2009. He could of been anything and although he had played a number of 1st Grade games, he was still an U20's Toyota Cup player.
Anybody wish to discuss these or maybe any other of the many careers that were cut far too short?