Jake Friend’s amazing comeback almost complete as Sydney Roosters chase grand final berth

JAKE Friend is 80 minutes away from completing the most inspirational comeback story in rugby league history when the Roosters face South Sydney.

NRL Sydney Roosters player Jake Friend with his Cafe Foveaux owner Jim Spiropoulos at his Surry Hills cafe in Sydney. Jim gave Jake a job when he was sacked by the Roosters late last year over his alcohol-related problems.

JAKE Friend is 80 minutes away from completing the most inspirational comeback story in rugby league history.

When the tough little Roosters hooker runs onto ANZ Stadium on Friday to face archrivals South Sydney in a finals blockbuster, Australia’s Test coach Tim Sheens will be watching his every step, every move and every pass from the stands.

The reward for victory will more than likely be a green and gold jersey as Cameron Smith’s back-up for the upcoming Four Nations tournament.

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Jake Friend at Roosters training.

A Hollywood actor might own the opposing team but it is Friend’s remarkable story would make a movie script almost too unbelievable to produce.

This is the 24-year-old who had his contract torn up back in 2009.

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JAKE IS A FRIEND IN HARD TIMES

When he was unemployed, seeing a psychologist, getting treatment for alcohol abuse and washing dishes at a Surry Hills sandwich shop to pay the bills.

And then the more recent episode when he almost died from internal bleeding after he last played against the Rabbitohs.

The sacking: Jake Friend leaves Waverley Local Court.

Only a 000 call from home and an emergency ambulance got him into intensive care in time.

Roosters medical staff have since revealed how his injury, which caused him to lose two litres of blood, was in fact life-threatening.

“Had Jake been living in the country, four or five hours away from hospital, he would have died,” said Roosters medico Dr Ameer Ibrahim.

“Fortunately, in the city they got him in the hospital in time and realised what it was, and drained the blood from his chest.”

The sandwich hand: Roosters player Jake Friend with Cafe Foveaux owner Jim Spiropoulos.

Sheens says he was as surprised as anyone that the tough hooker return against the Cowboys from an injury earlier diagnosed as a season-ending one.

“He’s obviously tough kid,” Sheens said, “He’s an excellent player and a kid of the future.

“I’m going to the game and I’m really keen to see how he goes.

“Cameron and Robbie are getting closer to the end of their careers and it’s exciting to have Jake coming through.”

The injury: Friend was in intensive care at the Prince of Wales Hospital after suffering from internal bleeding.

The Roosters seriously missed Friend’s style and strength out of dummy-half in their loss to the Panthers two weeks ago.

He returned against the Cowboys last week to play 64 minutes and make 40 tackles and 32 metres.

He averages 43.2 tackles a game this year, second only in the entire competition to Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough.

The huge work rate in defence and stylish service out of dummy half is just part of the package.

If guts, determination and courage count for anything, the green and gold jersey will be his.

Jake Friend has turned his life around.

Man who wouldn't play the blame game

JAKE Friend has always taken ownership of issues.
In late 2009 I interviewed the 19-year-old in his home town of Noosa not long after the Roosters sacked him.
Many were blaming the presence of Willie Mason and the binge-drinking culture at the Roosters for his downfall.
“I’m the only one responsible for the position I’m in right now,” he said at the time.
“It’s all right to blame Willie Mason, Nate Myles or the club ­culture. But it’s wrong. No one chained me up and dragged me out at night. It was my fault.”
It was impossible not to be impressed by Friend’s attitude. Here was a teenager who ­appeared to have blown his ­career and a $500,000 ­contract in the NRL, but he only blamed himself.
“I have no excuses for ­anything that has happened,” he said. “And please don’t turn this into another ‘I’m sorry’ story. Of course I regret my ­actions and I’m really sorry for what I’ve done to the Roosters, my family and friends.
“But I ­actually see the next part of my life as an opportunity to ­become a better ­person.
“I was on the computer the other day and typed my name into Google.
“Everything on there was bad. I hope in a few years there might be something there about me playing football.”
And maybe even playing for the Kangaroos.

Roosters Jake Friend walks out for training.

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