Corey Harawira Naera’s career remains in limbo

[Choc Magic]

Really sad news IF that is the case, but last I heard he was meeting with a specialist mid January to determine his fate.

Ricky may just be using language like "the medical reports we are getting" to support his case with the NRL for cap relief/medical retirement.
Entirely possibly I'm just skeptical but I have trust issues with stick and how he uses the media to support his agenda (e.g: using a presser to delay Crokers 300th, using the media to indicate it's EW's last year, etc. etc.)

[NoMan]

Yeah, even with direct quotes this probably needs a mole warning.

[Northern Raider]

Really sad news IF that is the case, but last I heard he was meeting with a specialist mid January to determine his fate.

Ricky may just be using language like "the medical reports we are getting" to support his case with the NRL for cap relief/medical retirement.
Entirely possibly I'm just skeptical but I have trust issues with stick and how he uses the media to support his agenda (e.g: using a presser to delay Crokers 300th, using the media to indicate it's EW's last year, etc. etc.)

I don't see any conspiracy going on here. Coach says current indications are that may not play again. Final call hasn't been made yet. Sticky's just providing an update and his comments will have zero impact on the outcome.

[BJ]

Yeah bit of overreach at this stage of the equation.

All coaches use the media a bit, it’s part of the job from both sides.

Then we get to the Gus Gould level of media manipulation to achieve his wants and needs.

[Choc Magic]

Just feels like Stick is beating something up unnecessarily IMO... mentioning looking for pathways post football etc. especially when Corey himself feels the need to clarify on Instagram a few hours later "Nothing confirmed yet, more to come from my end" ....

[-TW-]

'More to come': Raiders star Corey Harawira-Naera speaks out on retirement report



Canberra Raiders star Corey Harawira-Naera has refused to call time on his NRL career despite his coach saying he is "very unlikely to play again". Harawira-Naera took to social media to address concerns.

"Nothing confirmed yet whanau (family), more to come from my end," he posted on his Instagram story.

Read more: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2023- ... 2107193ec8

[Northern Raider]

Just feels like Stick is beating something up unnecessarily IMO... mentioning looking for pathways post football etc. especially when Corey himself feels the need to clarify on Instagram a few hours later "Nothing confirmed yet, more to come from my end" ....

Or maybe reporter asked him about CHN and he told us what he knew.

[Botman]

If i had to guess, and it would just be a guess
i would say we're at the stage of things where CHN is still hopeful and eager to continue his career and is unwilling to give up on that dream until the final curtain is called, whereas the the club are probably at a point of being more realistic and accepting that the outcome is likely that he wont be cleared medically to return.

To Roger's point, there have been players who have found a route back after time and more information. So hopefully that could be an option for CHN's future.

As an aside, CHN could have picked a better stock image of himself. "Nothing confirmed yet, more to come" with a stock image of what appears to be CHN being taken off for HIA is an odd choice!

[greeneyed]

It is the image Fox Sport used. He was sharing their post and clarifying the situation.

[BJ]

HIA or trainer confused by Ricky’s use of the interchange bench?

[Botman]

It is the image Fox Sport used. He was sharing their post and clarifying the situation.

Ahh right, thanks for that clarification. Makes sense then!
Im not a big insta user so just took it at face value

[Choc Magic]

Just feels like Stick is beating something up unnecessarily IMO... mentioning looking for pathways post football etc. especially when Corey himself feels the need to clarify on Instagram a few hours later "Nothing confirmed yet, more to come from my end" ....

Or maybe reporter asked him about CHN and he told us what he knew.

Maybe we should paper scissors rock for it NR

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[gerg]

Geeez it’s a tough road back after having seizures on the field of play. Raiders have probably done a risk assessment and determined it’s not worth it, for the club or the player. It’s the right call. He’s 28 and hopefully has a long life ahead of him with his loved ones. Rugby League is just a game.

[RedRaider]

If the medical reports are not positive it is a tough way to end a playing career. Here's hoping for some good news for CHN in January 2024.

[greeneyed]

Star's health battle gives Raiders reality check

Canberra Raiders players are rallying around injured back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera as he prepares for a career-defining decision about his health after coach Ricky Stuart conceded it was unlikely he would play again. Harawira-Naera is awaiting a specialist appointment in January.

"Corey's welfare and his situation in regards to his health is the utmost importance to the Canberra Raiders," Stuart said. "He's fortunate he's involved with a club that puts the person first."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14239

[dubby]

DT reporting that CHN has responded to Ricky's claim.

Corey Harawira-Naera says Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s medical retirement claim is premature

Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera has responded to Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s claim that he would be forced into medical retirement. “Nothing confirmed yet whanau (extended family), more to come from my end,” he wrote on his Instagram story.

The Raiders are looking for a strike forward and have been linked with North Queensland duo Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... f0c8777d02

[The Nickman]

Seems to me like Ricky’s never been too keen on CHN, it’s clearly evident in the way he uses (or underuses him).

This looks to me like the coach is trying to shuffle him out of the club and into medical retirement, yet the player doesn’t want to go yet.

Classic Raiders debarkle.

[NoMan]

Ricky really is the king of sieves at times and shouldve kept his mouth shut unless CHN had given him the ok.

[gerg]

Seems to me like Ricky’s never been too keen on CHN, it’s clearly evident in the way he uses (or underuses him).

This looks to me like the coach is trying to bum shuffle him out of the club and into medical retirement, yet the player doesn’t want to go yet.

Classic Raiders debarkle.

Didn’t give him much game time over the past year and by the looks won’t give him “any” game time at all in the future. If he wants to continue his NRL career it will be with another club and I can’t see any club taking that risk.

I’d say the club has tried to convince him in private to think about ‘post playing career’ options and he hasn’t listened. And now it will be played out in ‘public’.

[dubby]

I'm not sure what's going on here.

Ricky said its very unlikely based on medical reports, Chn saying wait, there's more to come. At no stage does CHN refute the chance of medical retirement or refute a return to playing.

It's very vague.

[RTW]

Seems to me like Ricky’s never been too keen on CHN, it’s clearly evident in the way he uses (or underuses him).

This looks to me like the coach is trying to shuffle him out of the club and into medical retirement, yet the player doesn’t want to go yet.

Classic Raiders debarkle.

Also quietly reminds a few options from other clubs that CHN is not part of plans going forward. Couples nicely with his announcement that Whitehead is retiring.


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[Billy Walker]

The Raiders are handling this difficult situation just as they should, decently and professionally. They’ve sought a salary cap exemption if it’s needed. They’re doing the right thing morally and contractually, standing by him and supporting him while his medical situation is sorted through by his doctors.

Yes.

The bloke very nearly died on the pitch for the club. You stand by him or you stand for nothing.

There's no "hard decision" to be made by the club. He's contracted end 2025 + an option in his favour for 2026. They made their decisions back when they extended him and now I am glad to see they are honouring that.

If he's to be medically retired, that's for the doctors to suggest. If he wants to explore playing on- that's his right and the club needs to support it.

All the decisions for the next few years are his, or perhaps a medical professionals. I'm happy the way the club is handling this.

Still want to stick with this answer?

I commend Ricky for giving this a nudge in the right direction.

[BadnMean]

The Raiders are handling this difficult situation just as they should, decently and professionally. They’ve sought a salary cap exemption if it’s needed. They’re doing the right thing morally and contractually, standing by him and supporting him while his medical situation is sorted through by his doctors.

Yes.

The bloke very nearly died on the pitch for the club. You stand by him or you stand for nothing.

There's no "hard decision" to be made by the club. He's contracted end 2025 + an option in his favour for 2026. They made their decisions back when they extended him and now I am glad to see they are honouring that.

If he's to be medically retired, that's for the doctors to suggest. If he wants to explore playing on- that's his right and the club needs to support it.

All the decisions for the next few years are his, or perhaps a medical professionals. I'm happy the way the club is handling this.

Still want to stick with this answer?

I commend Ricky for giving this a nudge in the right direction.

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

[NoMan]

Seems to me like Ricky’s never been too keen on CHN, it’s clearly evident in the way he uses (or underuses him).

This looks to me like the coach is trying to shuffle him out of the club and into medical retirement, yet the player doesn’t want to go yet.

Classic Raiders debarkle.

Also quietly reminds a few options from other clubs that CHN is not part of plans going forward. Couples nicely with his announcement that Whitehead is retiring.


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Seems like using the media for that would be the absolute worst thing to do. Ricky could just directly tell players if he wanted to.

[Postman Pat]

Or CHN is simply holding onto hope he’ll be medically cleared and insured to play high level contact sport again.

[Botman]

Or CHN is simply holding onto hope he’ll be medically cleared and insured to play high level contact sport again.

yes, indeed.
Thats my read on it.

I mean stuart and the club have literally ZERO influence on medical matters. It's entirely in the hands of doctors. So there isnt any shuffling, nudging or pushing that can even be done. If the doctors clear him, he'll play. If they don't, he won't. The club probably have good information and advice from their own medical people and can see where this is very likely headed and are commenting accordingly, whereas CHN quite rightly is going to hold out hope, however faint, as long as he can.
At this stage it sounds like the club expects the January meeting will confirm CHN's and the clubs fears.

[Choc Magic]

Just weird that stick is 'looking after' players like Savage by not saying anything to the media about his non selection, whereas he's happy to announce its Papa, Rapa and EW's last year and CHN's days are done. Probably not suss at all

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[Postman Pat]

Just weird that stick is 'looking after' players like Savage by not saying anything to the media about his non selection, whereas he's happy to announce its Papa, Rapa and EW's last year and CHN's days are done. Probably not suss at all

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I don’t think he’s ever said anything about Papa, and looking after a young bloke compared to commenting on aging players that are clearly finishing up very soon is very different situations. Hardly ground breaking stuff.

[gerg]

Just weird that stick is 'looking after' players like Savage by not saying anything to the media about his non selection, whereas he's happy to announce its Papa, Rapa and EW's last year and CHN's days are done. Probably not suss at all

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I don’t think he’s ever said anything about Papa, and looking after a young bloke compared to commenting on aging players that are clearly finishing up very soon is very different situations. Hardly ground breaking stuff.

Maybe Stick has learnt something after that Manly fiasco. Had Savage riding the pine for 71 minutes and then told him to go out and win the game. Savage tried his best but couldn’t get it done and made a couple of errors in trying for a miracle. Stick took care of the young bloke that night. By completely throwing him under a bus.

[The Nickman]

Or CHN is simply holding onto hope he’ll be medically cleared and insured to play high level contact sport again.

yes, indeed.
Thats my read on it.

I mean stuart and the club have literally ZERO influence on medical matters. It's entirely in the hands of doctors. So there isnt any shuffling, nudging or pushing that can even be done. If the doctors clear him, he'll play. If they don't, he won't. The club probably have good information and advice from their own medical people and can see where this is very likely headed and are commenting accordingly, whereas CHN quite rightly is going to hold out hope, however faint, as long as he can.
At this stage it sounds like the club expects the January meeting will confirm CHN's and the clubs fears.

You don't think it's odd that Stuart is coming out and saying one thing in the media and then CHN is saying "hang on a minute, that's not true yet"?

If there was simply no issues, why wouldn't they at least get their ducks in a row on this? At an absolute best-case scenario this is just another case of complete lack of communication and professionalism at the Canberra Raiders, but it really does look a little bit more sinister from where I'm sitting.

[Northern Raider]

Or CHN is simply holding onto hope he’ll be medically cleared and insured to play high level contact sport again.

yes, indeed.
Thats my read on it.

I mean stuart and the club have literally ZERO influence on medical matters. It's entirely in the hands of doctors. So there isnt any shuffling, nudging or pushing that can even be done. If the doctors clear him, he'll play. If they don't, he won't. The club probably have good information and advice from their own medical people and can see where this is very likely headed and are commenting accordingly, whereas CHN quite rightly is going to hold out hope, however faint, as long as he can.
At this stage it sounds like the club expects the January meeting will confirm CHN's and the clubs fears.

You don't think it's odd that Stuart is coming out and saying one thing in the media and then CHN is saying "hang on a minute, that's not true yet"?

If there was simply no issues, why wouldn't they at least get their ducks in a row on this? At an absolute best-case scenario this is just another case of complete lack of communication and professionalism at the Canberra Raiders, but it really does look a little bit more sinister from where I'm sitting.

There's not necessarily conflicting stories here.

Sticky: "Medical reports are indicating he may be done".

CHN: "Nothing is confirmed yet. More to come".

What both are saying could well be true.

[The Nickman]

I just genuinely think that's the sort of thing the club and the player would be on the same page about if there was no issue.

[greeneyed]

I suspect the coach went a bit too far in terms of a public comment. Maybe he wasn't clear it was on the record when speaking to WWOS. In any case, if you see the comments from the coach given to The Canberra Times, they were much more circumspect. This is all he said, after the WWOS story:

"Corey's welfare and his situation in regards to his health is the utmost importance to the Canberra Raiders," Stuart told The Canberra Times. "He's fortunate he's involved with a club that puts the person first."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14239

He just mis-spoke a bit.

[Botman]

You don't think it's odd that Stuart is coming out and saying one thing in the media and then CHN is saying "hang on a minute, that's not true yet"?

If there was simply no issues, why wouldn't they at least get their ducks in a row on this? At an absolute best-case scenario this is just another case of complete lack of communication and professionalism at the Canberra Raiders, but it really does look a little bit more sinister from where I'm sitting.

I mean there is literally nothing sinister Stuart can do. That's where i genuinely don't understand the story being concocted here, and i'm not one to shy away from burying Stuart when there is cause.

But Stuart can come out today and publicly declare "CHN is being medically retired, he'll never play another minute of football" and if the doctors come back in January and clear him, he'll be wrong. He could come out today and say "CHN is a big part of this club and he'll be playing for the Canberra Raiders in 2024 no matter what!" and if the doctors don't clear him, he'll be wrong. There is no way for him exert any pressure or influence on a medical decision. It's simply not a decision he or the club, or CHN can make.

It's simply this - Are the medical professionals confident enough in his health sign off on him continuing the play understand their duty of care to the player?
If Yes - He plays on.
If No - He retires.
That's it. That's the entire decision making tree, top to bottom. No Stuart, no DFJ, really not even CHN.

CHN is quite rightly not willing to give up on his career until he has no other choice. Until the doctor walks into that room and says "Sorry Corey, we can't clear you to play". It looks to me like that's what the club is expecting and is trying to prepare CHN as best they can for that outcome, however for CHN, all hope, however slim is something he is going to hold on to.

As for Stuart's comments, and why there is miscommunication... i see two potential reasons
1. Stuart **** up a little and has been a little more honest about this than he should be at this stage and should let proceedings play out privately without comment
or
2. It did occur to me this kind of public noise might be an attempt (good or bad, i leave that to you) to assist in preparing CHN for this eventual outcome.

(My best guess is it's option 1 over 2, but i make room for the idea that perhaps CHN is in a bit of denial about his future and the club is trying to leak the likely outcome publicly now in hopes that when the shoe drops it doesnt feel as "weighty", for lack of a better word, for CHN)

[Choc Magic]

Just weird that stick is 'looking after' players like Savage by not saying anything to the media about his non selection, whereas he's happy to announce its Papa, Rapa and EW's last year and CHN's days are done. Probably not suss at all

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I don’t think he’s ever said anything about Papa, and looking after a young bloke compared to commenting on aging players that are clearly finishing up very soon is very different situations. Hardly ground breaking stuff.

According to fox sports "Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has revealed more elder statesmen will leave in 2024, with Josh Papalii, Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana all expected to retire."

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... ad55d07d86

Yet, Papalii is in the middle of contract negotiations right now, so i'm assuming it was news to him that Ricky expects him to retire?