How Nathan Peats came back from a broken neck

HE still bears the thick surgical scar from his broken neck but Parramatta hooker Nathan Peats insists he won’t carry any psychological damage into the Eels’ trial against Penrith on Saturday.Peats showed off the mark surgeons made to operate on the C6 vertebrae which he fractured in a heavy tackle against the Sydney Roosters last August.Despite being told by one doctor he “may never be the same again”, Peats says he has approached his recovery with the same arrogance he showed when playing a further 36 minutes with the broken neck.“It didn’t really faze me,” Peats said.“I probably took it all in an arrogant way. I had to go into the recovery with that attitude because of the type of personality I have.”Peats placed his head in the wrong position when attempting to tackle Roosters hardpan Siosiua Taukeiaho in the 44th minute of their round 23 clash. Incredibly, the gritty hooker completed the game and went on to finish with 59 tackles.With 10 minutes to play Peats made an unsuccessful attempt to stop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as the Roosters prop stormed to a try.“It was hurting,’’ Peats said. “I knew something wasn’t right, but that’s footy.”To most footballers, the unexpected news of a broken neck would be enough to question their future in the game.Peats’ reaction?“I was more disappointed in missing the last three game of the year than I was the ramifications of the injury,” he said.RETURN: Women’s game could act as Origin curtain raiserNEW MAN: Newcastle’s Round 1 bolterIt’s that exact attitude that has Peats primed for a comeback just six months after sustaining the injury.Although he could be forgiven for easing into his return, the Eels rake has wasted no time in ensuring he is at full fitness.“I honestly don’t care, I’m ready to tackle someone this weekend,” he said.Instead, it’s a different spine that’s been on Peats’ mind.The 25-year-old will make his return when he lines up alongside Michael Gordon, Kieran Foran and Corey Norman for the first time at Pepper Stadium.The Eels unveiled their first Indigenous jersey on Tuesday.After much hype surrounding the arrival of Kieran Foran, Peats has revealed the Kiwi international has made an immediate impact.“Foran’s that good a player, he’s world class, he’s going to gel with any type of player”.“Having Fozzy has helped Normy out a lot. He doesn’t have to be the organiser anymore. He can float around while Foz does his organising,” he said.Completing the attacking core is NSW Country representative Michael Gordon. After three seasons in the Shire, the former Shark will fill the vacant fullback role left by Will Hopoate.With Luke Kelly demoted to reserve grade, Gordon is expected to take up goalkicking duties and looks the perfect man to complete a spine that can take the club to their first finals appearance since 2009.Saturday night’s trial will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 from 7pm.

"Parra have enough information that could possibly put the NRL and storms exposed which this could possibly or potentially start a war and a super league like comp being form."

Replies

Can I wipe your forehead February 15, 2016 at 9:24pm

He is mental, so tough.
It will be really interesting to see how he will play this year.
JJ - The EEL February 15, 2016 at 10:30pm

It was actually the 44th minute and he played the remaining 36mins, he made the tackle on Kane Evans not JWH
Tom Laios February 16, 2016 at 12:52am

No doubt the kid is tough,but some wisdom and self-preservation needs to be learned.I'd hate to see him re-injure his neck or even worse damage his spinal cord.He is one of my favourite players and tough as nails,but at the end of the day,it is only a game and permanent injury just isn't worth it.
- Beer Baron > Tom Laios February 16, 2016 at 1:05am
  
  Agreed Tom. We need tackles yes but we don't need a 'tough' hooker given our backline this year. We need a dynamic hooker who can roll on from our forwards. If peats doesn't produce offensively he will be under pressure from king and pritchard