Rugby league player faces quadriplegia after bad tackle
A Hunter Valley rugby league player is facing the prospect of quadriplegia after suffering a severe neck injury during a match on Saturday.
Windale Eagles back-rower Damian Jobson suffered breaks in multiple parts of his neck after his head struck the knee of an opponent from the University of Newcastle.
|caption=Damian Jobson and his wife Brooke. |size=O]]
It is believed Jobson was injured while attempting a tackle during the game’s second half.
The match was cancelled as the severity of his injury became clear.
Jobson was taken to the Royal North Shore hospital for surgery on Saturday night but now his heartbroken family is bracing itself for news that Jobson’s life may never be the same again.
His wife Brooke told Fairfax Media it appeared his situation was “as bad as it can get”.
“He went into surgery last night – it was very long – at this point it looks like he will become a quadriplegic,” Ms Jobson said.
“We’re praying everything is going to be OK, but we’re just not so sure at this stage.”
Doctors have confirmed Jobson suffered injuries to his C4 and C5 vertebrae and can currently not move or feel anything below his shoulders.
Officials from the Windale Eagles and University of Newcastle teams have described the injury as ‘gutwrenching’ and among the worst they had seen on a football field.
Windale Eagles Rugby League Football Club secretary Rob Thompson told Fairfax players were still coming to terms with Jobson’s situation.
“We’ve all felt quite numb since it’s happened and our players have taken it pretty hard. They’re a very tight-knit, strong family and it’s just such an unfortunate accident,” Mr Thomspon said.
University of Newcastle Rugby League Club spokesman Shaun Johnston said players were extremely distressed and praying for the best possible outcome.
“It’s the worst thing I’ve seen in local football for a long time,” he said.
Jobson’s neck injury is the third such injury to strike the region’s football players in recent years, coming after Knight Alex McKinnon’s widely publicised injury and a similar injury for Maitland Blacks Rugby hooker Dom Punch last year.
Mr Jobson’s team mates are now working on fundraising efforts to help pay for medical expenses.
