How Allan’s life changed in 596-day NRL absence
Jasper Bruce |
Corey Allan found a new perspective on life during a 596-day absence from the NRL and is now intent on repaying St George Illawarra for sticking by him in the “dark” times.
The former Queensland representative could not get out of bed, walk or shower without assistance for six weeks after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2024 pre-season.
The gym session injury left Allan’s first season with his new club as a write-off, and his NRL future hanging in the balance.
Usually an upbeat and affable character, Allan’s positive outlook on the world was tested.
“I couldn’t even get out of bed without my partner, she had to carefully hold my leg and I’d have to swing around,” he told AAP.
“I was constipated from all the painkillers. Nothing was really good at that stage.”
Things got better when Allan cleared the six-week mark and had been reassured by coach Shane Flanagan there would be a place for him at the Dragons in 2025.
As he continued his recovery, Allan says the injury left him to reassess his life.
“Honestly, it did,” he said.
“It sort of made me think about what I’m going to do after footy. I’ve started a carpentry course and I’ve been looking into the firies (fire brigade).
“It’s sort of stuff like that you think about once something like this happens. You honestly think footy’s forever when you’re in it.
“Once that happened, I sort of said, ‘Wow, what am I going to do? I better start doing something’. It kept my mind busy as well when I was injured.”
After working back to match fitness in NSW Cup, Allan finally had the chance for an NRL comeback in the Dragons’ 34-28 to Wests Tigers at Magic Round on Saturday.
The match came almost 600 days after his last appearance for the Sydney Roosters in the 2023 finals series.
Allan hadn’t been expecting to crack first grade so early in the season but injuries to Mat Feagai and Christian Tuipulotu opened up a spot on the wing.
When he told Allan he’d be playing at Magic Round, Flanagan paid little mind to the emotion that such an occasion would bring up.
“He just walked up to me and said, ‘You’re playing. Don’t mess up’. He’s good Flanno, we’ve got a good relationship so that’s all I need,” Allan said with a smile.
On Saturday night, Allan held his own at left wing, notably pulling off a fantastic one-on-one tackle to deny Jahream Bula a certain try.
Signed for the rest of the year, there’s now only one thing on Allan’s mind.
“I’ve got a point to prove and repay the faith,” Allan said.
“(The Dragons) could’ve dropped me after I did my knee, I was only there for a year. It was probably easier for them to just say, ‘we’re not going to sign you again’.
“It was sort of a gamble, coming back from a knee like this. I’ve stuck to my rehab and really want to show them that they made the right decision keeping me around.
“(The injury lay-off) was dark but I sort of put that behind me and now I’m just a happy guy.”
AAP
