Finals drama as Raiders star Joey Leilua suffers freak eye injury
Joey Leilua joked he thought it was part of Melbourne’s game plan to shut him down, but it was no laughing matter when a particle from pre-game pyrotechnics lodged in his eye.
NRL
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Canberra centre Joey Leilua says he felt like a rock had landed in his eye and he completely lost vision just seconds before kick-off in the Raiders’ clash with Melbourne.
The start of the match was thrown into complete chaos when an object from the pre-game pyrotechnics lodged in Leiula’s eye. Kick-off was delayed as confusion centred on Canberra’s bench. Leilua was taken from the field and replaced by Bailey Simonsson but was later cleared to return.
“I thought it was part of Melbourne’s game plan,” Leilua joked.
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“The doctor didn’t believe me that there was something in there. Eventually my eye lid was so far up he found it. He better have the evidence still.
“I was disappointed I might let the boys down again. Even going out there I was still paranoid.
“I couldn’t really see. I couldn’t open my eyes. The doctor got it out. It was a miracle. The boys were saying Jesus is back.”
Simonsson scored just after four minutes. The winger said he benefited from getting on the field straight away.
“It made it easier getting straight in the game and killing the nerves,” Simonsson said.
“I was fortunate enough to cross the stripe. It was a good start. It’s unreal it’s been a special year.”
An NRL spokesman said “we’re reviewing all circumstances around the incident.”
Leilua rebounded to lay on the final pass for the match winning try after coming onto the field after 29 minutes.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said it would have been “catastrophic” if he hadn’t had Simonsson on the bench.
The pyro company described the incident as “regrettable”.
“We would also like to clarify that the cause of the incident was not a firework,” Fortunato Foti said.
“The effect used is a spark simulation machine, which are classified as non-pyrotechnic. It appears that some grit from these machines came in contact with the players eye.
“Foti International have been using these non-pyrotechnic machines on a regular basis for 12 months without incident. The system is designed to be used in close proximity to people. “Foti International will carry out an internal investigation to properly assess the cause.”
Originally published as Finals drama as Raiders star Joey Leilua suffers freak eye injury