Melbourne Storm winger Will Warbrick feared he\u2019d be forced into retirement as his concussion symptoms failed to subside and he couldn\u2019t even train. <\/p>\n
But ahead of a home preliminary final, and possible grand final redemption, the Kiwi international is fear free, symptom free and paid tribute to the strong club support which got him through his dark period.<\/p>\n
Warbrick, 27, has played only five games in 2025, missing five months of action from rounds four to 26 after enduring concussion symptoms so severe even daily activities were hard. <\/p>\n
Doubts about getting back for the season turned to doubts about ever playing rugby league again and Warbrick had \u201cmore questions than answers\u201d as issues lingered. <\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t know why it took so long,\u201d he said this week, ahead of Friday\u2019s AAMI Park showdown with Cronulla for a spot in the NRL decider. <\/p>\n
\u201cMan, it\u2019s a funny old thing, the brain. It\u2019s pretty precious and delicate, and probably had a few, probably had more questions than answers. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, when days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, you start having these doubts and thoughts lingering … there\u2019s the physical standpoint of the recovery, and there\u2019s also the mental aspect and the wellbeing aspect. And I think that really took a toll. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was times where there had been a few weeks … I wasn\u2019t training yet. And you start, you know, mine starts going a bit wild and searching for answers, and you can\u2019t find them<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see, unfortunately, other athletes have been in the similar position where they\u2019ve had to call it time. And when you see things like that happening, it\u2019s not hard to it\u2019s easy to sort of put yourself in their position. So look, it was a challenge. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to dive into too much detail about it. I like to sort of accept that\u2019s what happened and move on. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019ve definitely learned a lot about myself from those times, and I think it changed me as a person, but I\u2019m almost better for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a moment in his NRL return against the Roosters in round 26 which drew audible gasps, Warbrick getting up holding head after returning a kick. <\/p>\n
There was no issue, but Warbrick conceded to nerves before his playing return in the Queensland Cup given what he\u2019d been through. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite difficult to keep my emotions and my mindset in check,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had so many things going through my mind, and I remember in the warm up, just having so much nerves. I hadn\u2019t felt that for so long in rugby league. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the game started, I had my first carry and stuff, I felt a lot more at ease and comfortable out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the week in the lead up to playing NRL again, I was probably a bit more nervous, not from my head point of view, but more of a performance and playing the NRL calibre match, against the Roosters as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I think each game, I\u2019ve built bit more and more confidence. And also before that, leading into it, I had a solid couple months of training. I really leaned on my preparation heading into those games to give me confidence.\u201d <\/p>\n
That confidence was aided by the support of club medical staff, coaches and teammates which Warbrick said was crucial to his comeback, which could now end with a premiership ring. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe professionals here, the doctors, the medical experts I spoke to, they\u2019ll they had all the confidence that I would return,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was probably not something I would have got through without the support of the club. The people here, also my family and now I\u2019m feeling pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n