LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In an exciting development, fans will witness a unique sight on Thursday night as Melbourne Storm player Marion Seve becomes the first athlete in NRL history to wear goggles during a game. This follows a serious eye injury Seve sustained while playing for his team's feeder squad, North Sydney, back in June.
Seve's injury was severe, resulting from a boot stud making contact with his eye, which led to urgent surgery due to a cut and bleeding at the back of his eye, raising concerns about potential retina damage. Although the surgery was successful, medical advice warned that another impact could threaten his eyesight.
Determined to continue his football career, Seve trained for several months while wearing protective goggles. Recently, he made a successful return to the field, scoring three tries for North Sydney in the NSW Cup while wearing the special eyewear. Seve's strong performance earned him a call-up to the Storm team for their NRL grand final rematch against the Panthers on Thursday night.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen injured, Nick Meaney has stepped in at fullback, allowing Seve to take a position in the centres for this crucial match, making him the first NRL player to don goggles during a game. Coach Craig Bellamy expressed excitement at Seve's return, noting that he hasn't played in the first grade since a round four match against the Dragons.
Bellamy commented, "Even throughout my time in footy, I don't think I've seen someone more unlucky than Marion with the injuries...and the time when he gets the injuries. He is one hell of a fighter, one hell of a competitor. It's good to see him back. And it's going to be a tough job for him against the Panthers."
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Seve admitted he was initially reluctant to wear the goggles due to concerns over how it would appear to others. However, his teammates have warmly welcomed his return to the game.
"Dr Matthews and the club highly recommended that I wear the goggles, which I wasn't too keen on because I'd cop some from the boys and I would look weird on the field. Dr Matthews told me similar athletes in different sports have worn goggles for protection," Seve shared.