BY DAN

According to a report in the Fairfax papers Corey Harawira-Naera has been cleared to play football.

As you are undoubtedly aware, Corey has been sidelined for the best part of two years, since a harrowing on-field seizure left him searching for answers from specialists. According to the report a mixture of medication and the installation of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) was the answer.

While the report doesn’t cover how his ICD will stand up to the rigours of professional rugby league, it does state that:

Should an NRL club try to lodge a contract for Harawira-Naera, the governing body has no reason not to register it

Importantly this does not cover who has cleared Harawira-Naera. In the past there has been substantial gaps between the approaches taken by Corey’s personal medical team, and the club’s. In an unprecedented situation like this – no one has ever played professional contact sport with an ICD in place – you can understand if there was a different willingness to embrace risk between the two parties.

Beyond just the medical aspect, the Raiders have been less comfortable than Corey with the prospect of him playing again. Coach Stuart has been clear on that in the past. There’s a range of ducks that need to be in a row before Corey can get onto the field. Beyond simply medical assessments, one would think insurance would play a role. The Raiders would have to take into account the reputational risk that may come from a similar – or worse – incident happening because they were cavalier with the health of someone with a different willingness to embrace risk.

Ultimately that’s the challenge for Harawira-Naera. He, and his medical team, have to convince a team, and the NRL more broadly that his view of the risk is more correct than the Raiders. The above statement in the article – that there’s no impediment to registering a contract – will require a deal being put in place, or a change to the Raiders’ previous conservatism with Corey’s health.

He is still on the Raiders top 30. He’s a “free agent” as of 1 November, which would make this announcement fortuitous timing and likely made with the idea of trying to get a shot on a roster going forward. Whether another club is willing to take that punt is the critical thing. He wont just be dealing with risk of his health, but club’s weighing that against the fact he hasn’t taken the field in near two years. Given his relative age – he’ll be 30 on Sunday – it will take something special for him to convince characteristically conservative NRL teams that he’s worth the risk.

For Canberra it doesn’t really make sense. Forget the medical aspect – I am not a doctor – but playing a thirty year old risky prospect who hasn’t played in two years when you already have a fair bit of talent both in first grade and in the pipeline, just does not seem like a fit for them. Beyond the four backrowers that play in the first grade team most weeks, they also have Noah Martin and Joe Roddy in the top 30 for next year. Even in the absence of Matty Nicholson, with Corey already on the roster, it just doesn’t seem a realistic prospect to occur. The report implies that Corey is looking beyond Canberra. I suspect other clubs may make similar assessments.

I’m not sure what the pathway back is. Perhaps a trial-and-train deal to prove his health behind closed doors. Some time playing in NSW Cup? That feels like it reduces the optical risk but not the ever present medical risk.

This is undoubtedly happy news. Far out that man has been through the ringer, and to be able to pursue your dreams again….to be able to play with your kids again. Fuck man, you can’t help but be happy for the man finding a way back from hell. We are happy that his health is improving, for him, his family but also because, selfishly, we’d love for him to play again, and for the Raiders. But dreams are dreams because they can flaunt the cruel realities of existence. Risk and footy are rarely easy partners.

This matter is bigger than footy and him being healthy is still not a guarantee he’ll make it back to first grade. But for Corey’s sake we hope he’s able to.