Jackson Willis, who only has one eye, is on the verge of representing NSW under 18’s

JACKSON Willis has never let a vision disability spoil a rugby league passion which now has him on the cusp of representing NSW under 18s, writes David Riccio.

Jackson Willis had his left eye removed when he was two-years old. Pic Brett Costello

JACKSON Willis was only two years old when his dad — former Western Suburbs Magpies five-eighth Andrew — spotted an anomaly in his son’s eye.

“I picked him up out of bed and when I looked at his pupil, I could just see something in there and I thought, ‘that’s not right’,’’ Andrew said.

Andrew’s wife, Kylie, organised an immediate appointment with their local GP later that day, however the stressed couple failed to gain any great detail, so they drove Jackson to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Jackson Willis during a junior league grand final in 2008.

“Sorry to tell you this, but your little boy has cancer in his eye,’’ the specialist at Westmead told Kylie and Andrew.

“You need to be back here tomorrow, we need to get the eye out straight away.’’

Jackson was diagnosed with retinablastoma — a rare form of cancer that develops from the immature cells of a retina. Urgent removal of his eye was required before the cancer spread to his brain.

“It was a pretty hard time,’’ Andrew said.

“When we drove to Westmead, we weren’t expecting to be told that. That was the last thing on our mind.’’

Jackson spent three days in hospital, returning for check-ups every three months until the age of four.

The decision to sign up Jackson for his first game of footy at the age of six was one made with caution. Andrew and Kylie wanted him to have as much fun as any other six-year-old, but were nervous about how he’d cope playing with restricted vision.

“We thought about it and said, ‘let’s see how he goes’,’’ Andrew said. “He’s never looked back. He played footy because that’s what his mates did.

“There’s been some tricky days, like when he was a kid, his artificial eye popped out, which was funny for the opposition trainer.

“But he’s never said, ‘why me?’, which is pretty amazing. He’s just got on with it.’’

Jackson Willis had his left eye removed when he was two-years old.

What else is even more amazing is that on Wednesday night, the goalkicking Illawarra Steelers halfback will join the NSW Under 18 State of Origin squad in Narrabeen.

Selected by head coach Brad Fittler, Willis only needs to survive Wednesday’s final training session to be chosen to play Queensland in the curtain-raiser to Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on June 22.

“He’s one of the best two or three halves in the state, a real standout this year, so he’s right in the mix to make the team,’’ Fittler said. “That’s a great achievement. But for me, he’s already a great inspiration for anyone trying to overcome an obstacle in life.’’

Winning grand finals from the under 10s to 16s with the Camden Rams, Jackson has not only adjusted to life with an artificial eye, but thrived despite the challenge of being blindsided by the defence.

Jackson made the Wests Magpies’ Harold Matthews Cup team (under 16s) before moving to the Steelers’ S.G. Ball squad (18s), steering them to a grand final.

“I grew up without my eye, so I’ve had to learn to look a bit more to the left,’’ Jackson said. “I can’t really see much past halfway (across his face), so I’ve got to try and do things like always turn my head so I don’t get blindsided as much.

“I’ve just overcome it. I’m pretty proud. Everyone says it’s pretty hard when they shut one eye and then try and pass.

“My dream is to play NRL. Same as most kids, I guess. That’s how I see myself, same as the next guy, just trying to do my best.’’

Asked what it would mean to see his son run on to Suncorp Stadium ahead of Origin II, Andrew replied: “It would be amazing.”

Andrew never grows tired of the frequent phone calls from his close old mates and family who ring up constantly when they see replays on TV of his famous 48-metre field goal against North Sydney at Campbelltown Sports Ground in 1996 with just 42 seconds left on the clock.

But today, after the story is told about his courageous son there will be a new topic of conversation

“It’s by far and away better than anything I achieved,” Andrew said. “I’m proud of him anyway, but I would be unbelievably proud.”

Jackson Willis had his left eye removed when he was two-years old. Pic Brett Costello

Originally published as Jackson Willis, who only has one eye, is on the verge of representing NSW under 18’s