The Canterbury Bulldogs appear ready to welcome back former second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera, who is set to make a long-awaited return to NRL action after more than two years out of the game.
Harawira-Naera has not played since suffering a serious on-field seizure during a 2023 match while representing the Canberra Raiders against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and has been sidelined ever since that injury.
Over his career, the second-rower has played 123 NRL games, representing the Penrith Panthers, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Canberra Raiders.
Despite the challenges, the Sydney Morning Herald revealed in May that Harawira-Naera has been medically cleared to return to first-grade rugby league, with the NRL confirming it will not block any club from registering him if offered a contract.
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“We’ve gotten to a place where I can start looking ahead and planning to get back on the field,” Harawira-Naera told the publication.
“Knowing in the back of my mind that there’s a chance of getting back on the field, I felt lighter straight away. A whole lot of heavy head noise subsided pretty quickly.”
While Harawira-Naera had hoped to resume his career with the Raiders, reports indicate that Canberra are reluctant to take the health risk, prompting him to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The Daily Telegraph reports that this has opened the door for a potential reunion with Canterbury, with the 30-year-old expected to join the club on a one-year train-and-trial deal.
Although the Bulldogs have solid second-row options in Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston, Harawira-Naera could earn a bench role if he impresses coach Cameron Ciraldo.