Newcastle Knights forward Alex McKinnon has woken to news from doctors that his life may never be the same.
But those closest to the inspirational 22-year-old are hopeful his condition will eventually improve as he recovers from surgery and starts to receive intensive treatment.
Neither his family nor the club would be drawn by television reports last night that his spinal injuries may have left him a quadriplegic. ‘‘Alex is in the first phase of his recovery and we all hope his progress continues,’’ Knights chief executive Matthew Gidley said on Monday night.
McKinnon had been placed in a coma after breaking two vertebrae in a tackle against the Storm in Melbourne eight days ago. Reports suggest it will be a battle for him to walk again, although club officials say it is too early to make an accurate diagnosis. Having had ventilation removed on Sunday, McKinnon has been able to communicate with his family for the first time since his accident.
On Monday, McKinnon was visited by coach Wayne Bennett at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, according to the Nine Network. His parents continue to keep a bedside vigil while McKinnon’s girlfriend, Teigan Power, has reportedly returned to Newcastle. Nine’s reporter Neil Breen announced second-rower has been told he is a quadriplegic.
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Hard tackle
Hard tackle
Rugby League, not all fun and games.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Hard tackle
Poor guy.
What an awful tackle, combined with that rock hard pitch, not nice at all.
If that had happened at our "stadium" his head would have sank in the mud.
What an awful tackle, combined with that rock hard pitch, not nice at all.
If that had happened at our "stadium" his head would have sank in the mud.
Re: Hard tackle
Drowning vs paraplegia? Tough choice.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”