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Joey Leilua takes leave for family reasons

Fordy20

Juniors
Messages
2,168
Club statement:

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/08/13/wests-tigers-statement-on-joey-leilua/


Wests Tigers have today confirmed that centre Joey Leilua has returned to Canberra due to personal family reasons.

Having voluntarily left the club’s bubble, Leilua will be placed in a temporary COVID hold as per NRL guidelines.

Wests Tigers have informed the Project Apollo Group and will await further advice after consideration of all circumstances.
 

Perth Tiger

Bench
Messages
3,077
The headlines of some of the online news sources seem pretty disgraceful, implying that he has walked out.

Hope everything is alright for him and his family and to be honest, this year is a right off so I hope JL does whatever he needs to get his head right and come back to his best next year, even if that means not playing again in 2020
 

Fordy20

Juniors
Messages
2,168
Yeah, that was quick. Here's the club statement:

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/08/13/joey-leilua-cleared-to-return-to-wests-tigers-bubble/

Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua has been cleared to return to the Wests Tigers bubble, effective immediately.

Leilua had voluntarily left the bubble due to a personal family reason, with Wests Tigers providing NRL Project Apollo biosecurity experts with updates on his interactions and location.

Having reviewed that information, NRL Project Apollo biosecurity experts have cleared Leilua’s immediate return to the Wests Tigers bubble.
 

Tiger05

First Grade
Messages
9,162
It sounds like his family aren't coping living in Sydney and not being able to interact with extended family. This was probably the issue that was mentioned when he lost his shit.
 
Messages
15,654
He’s a critical player and we need him front and centre.

Be that as it may, his mental health should come first.

The club would have a player counsellor he can talk to and talk things out. Things should be put in perspective. On any given day, someone has lost a parent, sibling, partner or kid.

People get consumed by things that aren’t so big in the scheme of your one life on the planet. Lots of stupid messages sent through in the media.

People get ruined by the failure of a relationship or whatever. Just stand up and move on. Blink your eyes and life is over.

No point feeling sorry for yourself. It’s easy and comforting, but long term, shit.

Lower your expectations and you’ll be happier. What motivates people is beyond understanding. A lot of people are f**ked in the head and that’s the way it is.

Life sux Bj, all good, now get a grip and play footy.

Play your way back to happiness son.

You’re lucky that you can mate. Being an nrl player is the life of Riley compared to the slop most of us have to endure.
 
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Das Hassler

Bench
Messages
3,037
I very much doubt it's about his mental health as Madge wouldnt consider him ( with his temperament) for this weekend if he was struggling....more than likely an issue of urgent concern for an immediate family member...we've all been there.
 
Messages
15,654
I very much doubt it's about his mental health as Madge wouldnt consider him ( with his temperament) for this weekend if he was struggling....more than likely an issue of urgent concern for an immediate family member...we've all been there.

Indeed.

I wish we back at that v Penrith level. Geez we had a swing against the best side of all time or some other bullshit they are called.

And we need BJ, he’s critical.
 

Ron's_Mate

Bench
Messages
4,045
Apparently he drove his wife & kids to Canberra to stay with family & then drove back to Sydney. So perhaps it sounded weird because of how the club reported it but there is no real drama.
 
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