Eels in Seattle: Richie Fa’aoso reveals his journey back to the NRL and signing with Parramatta

AT his lowest point, Richie Fa’aoso blew out to 116kg. With his 10-year NRL career determined over, after suffering what two doctors had diagnosed as a broken neck, the hard-running forward was for the first time in his life, completely lost.The one thing he could find at the time, 14 months ago, was alcohol.“At that stage I thought, what am I doing?’’ Fa’aoso recalls.Add Fa’aoso to the file under rugby league players with heart, courage and desire.Just like injured Wests Tigers centre Keith Lulia and former Cronulla prop Ben Ross, who also suffered a broken neck, before him. The Parramatta recruit is set to join the comeback club.The difference is, Fa’aoso’s stunning return to the NRL from a neck injury will be achieved without any surgery.The C7 fracture he endured playing for Manly during the 2013 finals series against South Sydney, has healed itself.Doctors are amazed. But his story is better.Richie Fa'aoso came back from a broken neck for a second chance in the NRL.As Fa’aoso wallowed in limbo, self-doubt and booze, he made the call to get out of Sydney late last year and move to Brisbane, the home of his teenage years.He reconnected with old mates, it felt good and so he began training again.Under doctors orders, he wasn’t permitted to do any form of exercise that would impact his neck or spine. So he began boxing, muay thai style.Soft pad work, skipping and gentle jabs for two months resulted in Fa’aoso stripping his weight back down to an impressive 100kg.Feeling fit again, his binge drinking had vanished and as a result his confidence had increased.But nothing would ever change given two doctors had already told him he would never play rugby league again.That was, until he went and played a game of golf last June with one of his mates from Brisbane.Also in Fa’aoso’s playing group that day was Stefan Ackerie, the famous hairdresser and franchise owner of more than 50 Stefan hair salons across Queensland and NSW.The chance game of 18-holes would change Fa’aoso’s life.“I started playing with Stefan and he had a neck operation not long ago. So he said ‘I’ll get you in touch with the best guy’,’’ Fa’aoso said.“It usually takes a couple of months to meet with leading spinal surgeon Paul Licina, but he got me straight in.“He a bloody champion, Stefan. If I’d never have met him, I would’ve never got that appointment with Dr Paul Licina.“I met with him and he said ‘I can’t see a problem with it.’“He said ‘you definitely don't need surgery’ and then he said ‘are you interested in playing again?’“I said: ‘Yeah, bloody oath I am.’’Fa'aoso was desperate to get back after being given the all clear.Fa'aoso was desperate to get back after being given the all clear.Fa’aoso was told to wait another three months and Dr Licina would do a follow-up test.“So I went back in September and we did the scans and he showed me how much it (the fracture) had calcified,” Fa’oso continued.“As soon as I got that clearance from Paul Licina I rang my manager up, Matt Rose, and said ‘I’ve got that clearance. I’m back’.’’Fa’aoso also hit the phone to his former assistant coach at Manly and now Parramatta head coach Brad Arthur.“I told him, ‘I’m just letting you know, I’m good to go if you’re keen’,’’ Fa’aoso said.Signing a one-year deal with the Eels, the father of three isn’t about to waste his second coming.In Seattle with the Eels, he rises at 6am for extra training before tearing through a full-day training schedule.“It’s a great opportunity for myself, I’m really looking forward to playing and I’ve got a lot to prove too everyone too after being out for a year,’’ Fa’aoso said.“I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. I’ve already wasted enough.’’David Riccio travelled as a guest of the Eels.http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/eels-in-seattle-richie-faaoso-reveals-his-journey-back-to-the-nrl-and-signing-with-parramatta/story-e6freuy9-1227116126823

I think the regard that BA is held in amongst the NRL playing roster may be lifted with these articles and if we're able to be a team that consistently makes the Top 8 whilst he's here the club may just become one of those that players want to come to.

If Fa'aoso can get back to his best like when he was at Manly he will be a very good bench prop for us. It gives me confidence that we can start with Mannah and Jnr Paulo we'll be fine when we substitute them off and bring on the other props. I think that 4th bench spot will be one of the more highly contested positions in the team, for the moment we'll have: Fa'aoso, Wicks, Lussick, Mossop, Allgood, Terepo, and Pauli all fighting for it. I think that's why BA is trying to offload Mossop, and Allgood so that we can free up some more money but we'll still have a highly contested Top 17 spot even if they do move on.

"Thanks for the update.
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Replies

DaveZ November 7, 2014 at 10:46pm

Good luck Richie and all the best
Ham Sammich November 7, 2014 at 11:09pm

@KOP, I think we can thank the Eels for this article and the other ones that will come from Riccio. It was a great move by the club to take over a reporter so not only do we get constant updates of what is happening in the camp but we also get puff pieces like this that will be keeping us relevant and constantly in the paper for positive stuff. Much better than hearing about the up-coming election which will cause some shit-fighting in the papers like last time, no doubt.
Ham Sammich November 8, 2014 at 12:11am

Not a problem mate, as a "unicorn" I love shit like this. I think the best thing we can take from this article is "Fa’aoso also hit the phone to his former assistant coach at Manly and now Parramatta head coach Brad Arthur.

“I told him, ‘I’m just letting you know, I’m good to go if you’re keen’,’’ Fa’aoso said."

Along with what Watmough has said when he came across I think it definitely shows there's a high regard that BA is held in amongst the players that he's been around as coach.
Michael Picklum November 8, 2014 at 11:51am

A great read Ham. Obviously there is a very good relationship between several of the Manly players at the time with BA. Probably the main reason that we got Choc & now Fa'aso.

I get the feeling that Fa'aso may not be just on the list for depth. We may get to see him as part of the FG squad.
- Ham Sammich > Michael Picklum November 8, 2014 at 12:05pm
  
  I think the regard that BA is held in amongst the NRL playing roster may be lifted with these articles and if we're able to be a team that consistently makes the Top 8 whilst he's here the club may just become one of those that players want to come to.
  
  If Fa'aoso can get back to his best like when he was at Manly he will be a very good bench prop for us. It gives me confidence that we can start with Mannah and Jnr Paulo we'll be fine when we substitute them off and bring on the other props. I think that 4th bench spot will be one of the more highly contested positions in the team, for the moment we'll have: Fa'aoso, Wicks, Lussick, Mossop, Allgood, Terepo, and Pauli all fighting for it. I think that's why BA is trying to offload Mossop, and Allgood so that we can free up some more money but we'll still have a highly contested Top 17 spot even if they do move on.

This reply was deleted.

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