Bailey Simonsson, the outside back for the Parramatta Eels, is diligently working on his rehabilitation after sustaining an ankle injury on Easter Monday earlier this year.
In Round 5, during a challenging high ball contest, he faced a tackle in mid-air from Wests Tigers winger Luke Laulilii.
Simonsson landed awkwardly on his ankle, resulting in a dislocated ankle and fracture that prematurely ended his season.
On the Season Ticket Holders Podcast, he recounted the whirlwind of injuries he has struggled with throughout his career, including the pivotal tackle on Easter Monday, and addressed rumors from last season suggesting he intended to leave the Eels.
Despite starting the season strong, Simonsson admitted that he did not have a productive pre-season, clarifying that he hadn't actually participated in any pre-season training, despite others inquiring about his readiness for the 2026 season.
"I didn't have a pre-season at all. I tore my hamstring off the bone two days before pre-season started, so I had a 14-week recovery. I didn't have one pre-season training session; my first week of training was the week before the Sharks trial," he explained.
The ex-Canberra Raiders and New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Sevens player provided insights into his ongoing recovery.
"I broke the fibula, fractured my ankle, dislocated my ankle, and ruptured my syndesmosis. I did the whole lot," Simonsson revealed.
"It's about eight weeks (post surgery) now, things are tracking pretty well, I'm back walking around, back at the club, starting to do my rehab, which has been good."