https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/kelly-i-was-told-i-wouldnt-play-again/3883315/ HE REMEMBERS it "clear as day". Daniel Kelly was involved in an opposed training session for the Mackay Cutters' U18 side against their Queensland Cup counterparts last February. An on-field collision almost left his rugby league dreams in tatters. "It was just a freak accident," Kelly recalled, "I got my leg caught in the wrong position and broke my tibia and fibia - now I have a titanium rod down my leg. "I also got compartment syndrome from the trauma on that, which left me with a big scar down my leg and in hospital for two weeks. "It was quite terrifying, and at a young age as well - I was told I wouldn't play again. It has been a lot of hard work to get back to where I am." Those days spent in the hospital felt like an eternity. But there was one thing pleasing for Kelly about the experience: he proved the doubters wrong.
The 18 year old returned to the field 10 months after the incident, and has since been promoted into the Cutters U20 squad. Now, ahead of the Rugby League Mackay & District 100th anniversary gala, the Brothers hooker has been nominated for Rookie of the Year and A-Grade Player of the Year awards. But the modest dummy-half was reluctant to sing his own praises, instead attributing his success to Brothers coach Nick Swan and his Cutters U18s coach Tom Heggie. It is the determination of the young rake that impresses Heggie the most. So much so, he sees Kelly as a future captain of the Cutters' ISC side. Heggie said since the rising star's return to the game he had added more strings to his bow. As the Cutters U18 side was hit with injuries throughout the 2019 season, Kelly's versatility was on show as he covered lock and backrow when needed. Heggie said given the extent of the injury, Kelly's second coming in Mackay rugby league was a true credit to his character. "I'll tell you, right from the start he was very determined to get back - to playing football firstly but also playing at a high level," he said. "I remember visiting him in hospital a couple of days after the injury and he was already setting dates and days of when he wanted to return. "He was very meticulous with his rehab and knew where he wanted to go."
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November 2019
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