NRL 2022: Edrick Lee’s emotional toll injury took and how he had to learn how to walk again

Known as the ‘happiness beacon’, it was a plea from his kids which would eventually flick on a switch in Edrick Lee’s road to recovery, writes Michael Carayannis. Plus other long absences.

NRL 2022 RD06 St. George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights – Edrick Lee. Picture: NRL Photos

A question as innocent as his children asking to take them to the park was enough for Edrick Lee to break down.

The player who coach Adam O’Brien simply describes as the “happiness beacon” was finally broken.

Lee had put up a strong front until his children Kawhi, 5, and Liela, 4, posed a simple question.

“I couldn’t even take them to the park,” Lee said. “I had to say no. When they left I broke down. I could tell how much they just wanted to play with their dad.

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“I was on the couch and in a moonboot unable to do anything. They didn’t understand. They were used to me being this big ball of energy, the fun dad. That was heartbreaking.

“Right there and then I flipped the situation on the head and said I’m going to knuckle down and do everything right. We will be at the park.”

Edrick Lee’s injury setback was so drastic that he was forced during recovery to learn how to walk again.

It was a routine training drill which changed Lee’s life. He had just completed a successful Origin campaign, making his Maroons debut as part of the shock series win against NSW in 2020.

Lee’s confidence was at an highest. Until injury struck in January last year.

“It was the last two minutes of a drill,” Lee said. “I chased a little grubber kick and I heard something go (in my leg). I didn’t think much of it because I was able to walk.”

That moment Lee fractured his foot and would cost him an entire season. His career was under threat. Newcastle’s medical staff were confident the injury could heal on its own with three months rest.

“It was round 10 and I was named to come back and play,” Lee said. “The final scan showed the fracture had not healed and I needed surgery which ruled me out for the season.”

The metatarsal fracture had progressed to a true fracture. It required Lee to stay off his foot for two months.

“It was strictly no walking,” Lee said. “I got around in a one-legged scooter. I had to learn how to walk again.”

Lee says the deaths of his parents and competition being relocated left him considering retirement. Picture: NRL Photos

Injuries usually result in players being isolated from the main group even during normal seasons. But last year with the competition relocated to Queensland, Lee felt alone.

The struggle left him considering premature retirement. For not only was Lee battling with retirement he was off-contract at the end of last season.

The death of his parents in the space of 12 months in the lead-up to his Origin debut was still raw.

“I felt exiled,” Lee said. “On my own in Newcastle. Retirement crossed my mind. Losing my parents was life changing. Being the oldest in the family meant I had to lead the values and protocols in our culture. You become a leader for your family and community. I was away from home and trying to live up to that role, juggling my own young family and the injury was tough.

“It was a big struggle. My parents were the happiest when I was on the field. That hurt.”

O’Brien sensed Lee was struggling. The club wanted to standby Lee as much for what he brings on the field as much off it.

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But it came with a catch. His payment was slashed significantly. He was handed a $1000 weekly train and trial contract — a deal usually reserved for NRL hopefuls not Origin players during the pre-season.

“When he walks into the room you can’t not smile,” O’Brien said. “He will drag it out of you. We had real concerns if he would make it back but we had a duty of care.”

Lee’s handwork paid off when he played his first NRL match since October 4, 2020 last Sunday.

His comeback game was so impressive he featured in Newcastle’s player of the year points during their loss to St George Illawarra.

“To tell him he was back in the team was emotional,” O’Brien said. “Every now and then in this job you have a pocket of gold like telling Eddie he was back.”

Lee said he was sore for days following the match but could not be happier about his return.

He pointed to a piece of advice from mum Connie which helped him through the tough times.

“My mum said to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud,” Lee said.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Edrick Lee’s emotional toll injury took and how he had to learn how to walk again