Raiders and Souths players were praised for protecting Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera with a human shield after he suffered a frightening seizure mid-game.
With 14 minutes to play in the Rabbitohs’ clash with the Raiders, Harawira-Naera collapsed causing play to be halted for over ten minutes.
He is now conscious, sitting up and speaking, and was taken to hospital in an ambulance with a Raiders staffer accompanying him.
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Raiders pull off emotional win after star collapses mid-game in scary scenes
“Corey Harawira-Naera is in all sorts of trouble here,” Corey Parker said on Fox League.
The players sprung into action to form a shield around Harawira-Naera to give him some privacy as medical experts rushed onto the field.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart raced to the sideline to check on the player’s welfare.
Dan Ginnane summed up the scary scenes as the Raiders star collapsed in back-play moments after a routine hit-up.
“Corey took a hit up and then what felt like 30 seconds later when the set had come to a completion, he just collapsed and he had a fit,” Ginnane said.
“The medical staff were out there immediately. The crowd rising here at Accor Stadium and not just the Canberra fans, but the South Sydney ones as well.
“They have got him up now on the medicab. It is always so concerning when it comes out of nowhere. When it is not in contact.”
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Parker praised the players for their quick thinking until the medical teams arrived.
“It was away form the play,” Parker said.
“He took a hit-up and 30 second later before we saw Harawira-Naera having a seizure.
“The players acted very swiftly as did the medical staff.
“He is conscious and they are talking to him.”
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James Hooper revealed Harawira-Naera was responsive and was talking to teammates and medical staff as he was taken off the field in a medicab.
“The NRL and doctors have reviewed what happened with Corey Harawira-Naera,” Hooper said.
“He took a regulation hit-up and then when he has gone to move back out to the left edge he became disorientated and then he has had a seizure.
“The good news is he is responsive and has spoken to the medical team and his teammates and we wish him all the best.”
The Raiders star was subsequently reported to be fully conscious and in good spirits in the sheds, sitting up and talking to Raiders officials and medical staff.
He was taken to hospital after the game.
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