Broncos youngster suffers serious injury

Ethan O’Neill, the son of former Origin representative Julian O’Neill, endured a serious injury during a trial match for the Brisbane Broncos against the Manly Sea Eagles. The incident occurred when a finger was accidentally poked deep into his eyeball by Bailey Hodgson, a player from the Sea Eagles.

The injury resulted in a fractured eye socket for O’Neill, necessitating immediate medical attention. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he will be sidelined for up to six weeks, missing the start of both the NRL and QLD Cup seasons. However, there is some optimism from Brisbane Broncos official Chris Muckert, who suggested O’Neill might return in four weeks instead.

Reflecting on the incident, O’Neill described the intense pain he felt and the immediate swelling and vision impairment he experienced. Although he didn’t receive communication from Hodgson, he believed the injury was unintentional, acknowledging the rare odds of such an accident occurring.

Prior to joining the Broncos, O’Neill had a successful stint with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NSW Cup, contributing significantly to their Grand Final victory. Despite his setback, he remains determined to earn his NRL debut and is committed to working hard towards that goal, believing it’s only a matter of time before he achieves it.