Raiders forward Corey Harawira-Naera will reportedly sit out for at least a month after suffering a seizure on the field during his club’s clash with the Rabbitohs.
According to the SMH, Canberra are awaiting a specialist diagnosis but doctors have pinpointed a potential cause.
A build-up of small head knocks reportedly may have caused the seizure, with three incidents seemingly having played a part after Raiders medical staff combed through game footage.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NRL chief medical officer Dr Sharron Flahive along with Canberra medicos have reportedly been working on Harawira-Naera’s path to recovery.
The backrower carried the ball twice and in the lead-up to his seizure and Raiders chief executive explained the doctor’s findings.
“What they’ve found is two or incidents leading up to it, that the doctor has said, ‘They could be minor, but they reduce your threshold’,” Furner said.
“He did go head first into the turf, even though it didn’t look that bad, almost innocuous.
“The set before, he made a tackle and copped a head knock as well. A couple of smaller knocks in a row, they think might have been a contributing factor to Corey’s seizure.”
Harawira-Naera is with his family and issued a statement on Sunday, providing an update on his condition.
“I’m back with the family members now,” Harawira-Naera said.
“Got discharged from hospital at about 3.30am this morning.
“I firstly wanted to thank the boys from both teams, our boys at the Raiders and the Rabbitohs. Our medical staff as well as the Rabbitohs medical staff. The paramedics, the doctors, the coaching staff from both teams, as well as all the footy fans, family, friends.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate to receive a lot of messages about what happened last night. I’m doing a lot better now.
“Love to you all for thinking of me. I’m back on the mend, not in the clear yet, but we’ll get some more scans and sort it all out.
“Health comes first, but I’m obviously hoping to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“Love to all, and I’m very fortunate to have a lot of people concerned about me and thinking about me.”
Originally published as ‘Almost innocuous’: Raiders provide update as ‘contributing factor’ behind forward’s seizure revealed