NRLW: Roosters star Corban Baxter on the rebound after scary ACL complications
It was meant to be Corban Baxter’s year, but an untimely ACL injury and a series of rehab setbacks have made it anything but that. Hear from the Roosters star as she opens up on her complicated recovery.
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Corban Baxter was captain the last time Sydney Roosters won an NRLW premiership back in 2021.
But as they aim for another shot at the title in Sunday’s semi-final clash with Newcastle, the 30-year-old fullback will be on the sidelines in a club polo watching with a sense of bitter sweet celebration.
An untimely ACL injury during the NRLW trials ruled her out for the entire season, bringing a cruel end to what was supposed to be her year.
After a return to the field post-partum in 2023, Baxter made her comeback for NSW Origin earlier this season after two years away from the representative scene, and she felt good before the devastating injury.
Setbacks in the rehab process have now frustrated her further, and eight weeks post-surgery, she’s just starting to feel positive again with aims to return to the field in 2025.
“It’s a longer one, I’m hoping to be back for pre-season next year,” she says.
“It’s been a bit of a slow start, I did my ACL and then my meniscus too, I had that they call a bucket handle tear.
“I was super stiff after the injury and had a blood clot behind my knee from the injury.
“I’m supposed to be nine or 10 weeks post op, but we had to sort that out.
“I went into the surgery really stiff and then came out really stiff, and now my goal has been to get my leg straight.
“It takes time but it takes that little bit more now just with everything else before I can even think about strengthening it or beginning to run.”
For the fierce competitor in Baxter, taking it easy feels unproductive even when it’s medically necessary.
But she remains smiling, making the most of slower afternoons with her two sons Carter and Beauden, instead of being at NRLW training.
She has family close to help out too, well as a supportive husband, Matt.
The Roosters have given her the freedom to take her time while inviting her into the coaching box if she was up to it.
“I felt like I had to take a bit of time away from it,” she says.
“I had a really good off-season and was excited and confident about playing.
“But I’ve been through injury before, and then during pregnancy where I was at every training session and was involved as much as I could be, but this time I was pretty bummed about it all.
“I just had some time away and have made the most of having a bit more time in the afternoons with the boys, and putting that first for a little while which is nice.
“I feel a little bit guilty not being around as much, and I’ve been getting to games a bit more after my knee stopped hurting so much, so I’m still involved, just not as much as I might have been.”
She wouldn’t miss Sunday for the world, though.
Since Baxter went down, they’ve had a string of injuries, to Tarryn Aiken, Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly but have still managed to finish top two and secure a home final against two-time premiers, Newcastle.
“I’m so excited, it’s going to be such a good game.”
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