Jharal Yow Yeh makes an unconventional comeback to rugby league

He was one of the most electric wingers of his era before a brutal injury forced him from the game prematurely but now Jharal Yow Yeh has his hands on a Steeden again - albeit on a very different surface.

It was nearly two years ago to the day that Jharal Yow Yeh stepped onto a rugby league field for the first time since shattering his ankle into smithereens.

“I didn’t feel too comfortable; I hadn’t played for a long period of time,” Yow Yeh said of his comeback attempt in a Carl Webb Foundation charity match in 2023.

“But it felt right to try and do it. I knew Carl, so it was more of a love job.”

“When you’ve got 13 boys on 13, and it’s a NSW vs Queensland concept, it can get a bit hairy on a normal field, so I wasn’t comfortable at all.”

Except when he was.

And so when he walked off the field in Redcliffe, he thought any chance of a playing any sort of competitive rugby league went with him.

That was until last week.

For most Queenslanders, last Wednesday night might be one to forget. But for the now 36-year-old Yow Yeh, it’s a day he will always remember.

Former Broncos star Jharal Yow Yeh taking part in the Beach 5s Super Stars of Origin. Picture: Supplied.

Hours before Game One kicked off, just six kilometres from Suncorp Stadium, he participated in the Beach 5’s Superstars of Origin at the Pineapple Hotel.

It marked his true return to rugby league.

He may have swapped the traditional grass for a field of sand, but after 13 long years, to Yow Yeh, it would’ve felt all the same.

“It was honestly just fun to pass a footy around and have some contact again,” Yow Yeh said. “I have probably missed that a little bit.”

Making his return to rugby league even more special, Yow Yeh crossed the line in the decider to secure a win for Queensland and some of their legends.

“We didn’t win at Suncorp on Wednesday night, but we won at the Pineapple.”

Although it was an emotional return for Yow Yeh, as low profile as it was, his journey to even play beach rugby league wasn’t an overnight process.

Over the past couple of years, the former Queensland and Australian representative began testing his ankle again, progressively working his way into running on a treadmill.

The further he went, the more his confidence grew.

Despite his work in isolation, no amount of preparation could prepare Yow Yeh for the feeling he got when running out to play.

“I got nervous,” Yow Yeh said.

“I haven’t felt like that in a while. My legs are sore, my shoulders are a little sore as well, everything feels heavy.”

Rugby league had always been life for Yow Yeh, and even after finishing his career in 2012, the young star continued to be connected to the game.

From playing for the Broncos to moving to their media department, jobs in radio, and now working in the club’s game development program.

Former Broncos player Jharal Yow Yeh has taken pictured with his wife Ashley St Georges Picture Instagram

Even with all of this, Yow Yeh has accepted that his reasons in life have changed drastically.

“I’ve come to terms with not playing footy anymore,” he said.

“As much as people probably think it was hard to do, that’s not my why any more.

“It used to be when I was a young man. I’ve got two kids, a wife, a really beautiful family, and the reason why I do my job is not just because I love rugby league.

“But like every father, it’s my job to put food on the table for my kids.”

Even when it came to lacing up last week, the first thing on Yow Yeh’s mind was to make sure he got out unscathed for his wife Ashley and their two children.

“I have to put food on the table, so I need to be on my feet all day,” Yow Yeh said.

“Bloody hell if I rolled an ankle or something and came home to my wife, she would’ve been absolutely filthy at me.”

But not as filthy as Yow Yeh gets at this time of the year.

The former Brisbane winger was at the height of his powers when he pulled on the revered Maroons jersey three times in 2011, scoring two tries, including one at Suncorp Stadium.

“Rugby league is so addictive and it’s always tough especially when you can’t help. Those games are the hardest to watch. Origin’s the one that’s like, ‘Oh man’,” he said.

After being out of the game for so long, many would think Wednesday’s game was a one-off, but Yow Yeh has different plans.

When asked if he would be putting his hand up for more games, Yow Yeh replied:

“Honestly if I get asked to do that again, I’ll be doing it again.”