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Will Warbrick is fit, firing and has scored a try in each of the Melbourne Storm’s finals wins en route to a return to the NRL grand final this coming Sunday.
But it was only a few months ago that the 27-year-old feared that prolonged concussion symptoms had ended his career.
Will Warbrick (left) takes a moment as his Melbourne Storm side secured a grand final spot. His good mate Nick Meaney is on his right.Credit: Getty Images
So it was understandable that his emotions hit him at full-time in their preliminary final win over Cronulla on Friday night.
“It’s pretty special, bro,” Warbrick said in the AAMI Park tunnels after the match.
“Some emotions hit me after the game there, on the field. I’m just really grateful to be in this position and to have the opportunity to go back to Sydney again.
“I was just grateful; happy. There was a stage this year when I had serious doubts about whether I would play again.
“So it all hit me that I’d just played in a prelim; a part of a winning side and would get the chance to play in Sydney next Sunday.”
In February, the New Zealand Olympian was left with a concussion after playing in the Indigenous and Maori All-Stars game. He thought he had recovered when he played in round one, but the symptoms returned.
Then he had another false start in round four, only for his concerns to re-emerge, this time even worse.
What followed was the worst five months of his glittering sporting career, which includes an Olympic silver medal with NZ’s rugby sevens team at Tokyo 2020.
Will Warbrick of the Storm celebrates after scoring a late try in the qualifying final.Credit: Getty Images
While the medical experts remained confident he would get back on the field, they couldn’t say when, and Warbrick continued to suffer migraines, nausea and trouble focusing.
He was candid about the effect the injury had on his mental wellbeing and physical health, and sought help for both before working through a long training program to get back to playing.
“At the start, it was just some head pressure and headaches, and then once I got to the point where I was getting migraines and dizzy spells and light-headedness and had trouble focusing – there was plenty of symptoms,” Warbrick told AAP after the qualifying final.
“It’s not like one symptom or a couple, there’s a lot going on.
Will Warbrick and Daniel Tupou go up for a bomb.Credit: Getty Images
“I don’t think I’ve endured something so challenging before. I don’t feel like I’ve experienced something that’s really tested my character.
“I had some seriously tough times that really took a toll on, not only my physical wellbeing, but also my mental wellbeing.
“I had to really rely on the support of other people, my family, my friends, and even the people at the club. I really had to lean on my support system, especially early on, to get through the tough times.”
He nervously returned to play in the Queensland Cup and then came back to first-grade footy in round 26 as the Storm were thrashed 40-10 by the Sydney Roosters. But, most importantly, he completed 80 minutes and even had a try assist.
Then in the qualifying final, he had some handling errors in the first half before coming up with the game-clinching try, intercepting a pass and running almost the length of the field to score under the posts.
He held the ball aloft and kissed it in celebration and, perhaps, relief.
The preliminary final was a more physical test, as Sharks playmaker Brandon Trindall put up several high, mongrel punts which fell on Warbrick’s side of the field.
Each time, he took a deep breath and caught them cleanly, adding those plays to some tough hit-ups and scoring the Storm’s first try.
“Trindall is a great kicker, and they have a couple of boys who chase hard,” Warbrick said.
“But I will be honest, I had a terrible week catching the [high] ball at training.
“Just confidence, mate. I’m still getting back into it. I’ve played a few games now, and I’m finding my feet and trying to get back to my best footy. This game was another step in the right direction.”
Since their tight loss to Penrith in last year’s grand final, the Storm have aimed to be back in the season decider, where they will play Brisbane on Sunday after the Broncos ended Penrith’s dreams of a fifth-straight title, winning 16-14.
Warbrick felt the intensity of grand final week surprised him last season, so he wants to handle the occasion better this time around.
“In Melbourne, you are quite sheltered from it, then in Sydney, there is a lot of noise, media and excitement,” Warbrick said.
“So I will be focusing on my preparation and controlling my emotions.”
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Even if he manages to do that, there’s no guarantee there won’t be an outpouring of emotions next Sunday if the Storm manage to redeem last year’s grand final loss.
“Sometimes you don’t understand why things happen, especially in my case with my injury, you don’t get those answers, but it is funny how everything works,” Warbrick said.
”The goal has been set out since preseason or since the result of last year – we want to get back and win it.
“With the year I’ve had, I’m a lot more present with things and not taking things for granted.”
With AAP
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