If Morgan Gannon wasn't aware of what the rugby league rollercoaster was, he certainly does now. Leeds Rhinos' teenage sensation enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season in 2022, rapidly emerging as one of the best youngsters on the planet.
Yet his season came screeching to a premature halt in the play-offs after being on the receiving end of a gruesome collision with 122kg prop Sam Kasiano in the Rhinos' first-round play-off victory over Catalans Dragons. That incident saw him miss the Super League Grand Final, the club's clash with New Zealand and England Knights' pre-World Cup fixtures.
Instead, he was left bedridden as he recovered from the incident, which left him out of action for a total of six weeks. Thankfully, he has now been cleared to return to action and featured in the Boxing Day clash against Wakefield, playing at halfback as he gets to grips with his new position.
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"It was tough but ultimately my health was the main priority," Gannon said. "It took me six weeks to get signed off, so they took their time with me, but since I've been back in training I've been in full contact with no hiccups so, touch wood, I'm on the other side of that."
Reflecting on the incident, he said: "There was some force! I was struggling after, there is still a five-minute gap walking to the training room that I still don't remember. The physios said I asked them the same question about three times.
"For about three or four days after that, I was in my room, lights off with no phone. It's the first time I've really felt a concussion, it did take me a while to get over it.
"It was tough, but it's one of them. There's not much I could have done, there was no chance I could play with the protocols. It just gives me more motivation to get there (Old Trafford) again this year and go one further with the team the next time."
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