Daniel Conn Retires

[Red.]

Spinal fusion ends Conn's career at 25
Daniel Conn isn't after sympathy or publicity but wants to explain why he is giving the game away at just 25. ''I'm having an operation on my neck next week to have my spine fused and I've been told that I'd be risking my future if I kept on going,'' the Roosters forward said. ''The operation means I'll be spending time in intensive care and then a week in hospital. They have to cut through the front of my neck. It's really hit me hard. I'm struggling to cope with it all - you know, you love footy and it gets taken away from you. I'm trying to get my head around it and I've only just told my teammates and coach. But I want to have a life afterwards and my aim is to grow my personal training business. At the moment I can't even hold a focus mitt up for my clients and that is a real reality check. To be honest, this whole thing has really rattled me.''
Conn has been trying to deal with it privately. ''I've been through a shocking time over the last few months. I've been blacking out in games and having pins and needles throughout my body. If I even bump my head when I'm getting out of the car I feel a shooting pain. To be honest, it's been hell to live with.'' Conn admits he's been living on pain-killers. ''I've been taking them to get through training and at night. The Roosters did a sleep test on all the players and I was the worst. The worst they've seen, actually. I've been getting two or three hours a night maximum, and it's really been affecting me.'' Adding to his difficulties is a pre-existing condition. ''I'm not afraid to admit that I've been battling depression. It's a part of my life that I'm trying to get on top of and there are plenty of other NRL players in my boat. I'm taking it on, and what I've been going through in recent times certainly hasn't helped me. Where I am really lucky is with my girlfriend, Ariane. I don't know where I'd be without her.''


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[Rooster_6]

Best of luck Conn, shattered for him.

That's some seriously bad luck... I hope the club get right behind him and give him all the support he needs with both the depression and neck injury. Always played with so much heart...

[Guest]

Woah out of nowhere!

[Guest]

plenty of ticker that guy ....will be sadly missed,wish him well

[Guest]

For all his efforts he was a good Rooster.

[supermario]

it is something that has really effected him for a long time and would have been the hardest desicion for him to make....in saying that, his choices were to fuse his spine or risk severe back problems and worst case quadriplegia.

It's a tough call to make, especially so young and having league as your career, but a brave one none the less.

Good luck Dan, hopefully we still see you round the club !

[Chook Norris]

What a shame it had to end so early for him.

I think we can happily say that he he played with pride and he served us quite well
Wish him well for the future

[Guest]

I would rather have Daniel Conn walking around on two working feet with a working spine for the next 70+ years than have him play one more second for the Roosters if he was in danger.

Best of luck Daniel. I hope you have a life outside of football.

[The Pelican]

I would rather have Daniel Conn walking around on two working feet with a working spine for the next 70+ years than have him play one more second for the Roosters if he was in danger.

Best of luck Daniel. I hope you have a life outside of football.

Well said. I wish Daniel and his girlfriend a long and happy life together and i thank him for always giving his all for the Roosters. I also hope that the club sticks by him and helps him through his battle with depression.

[crikey chris]

Unfortunately another case of a player not leaving the game on his own terms.

Always sad when an injury, especially one that is life-threatening, cuts a career short. Daniel played well above his weight. Has a rockstar life/image off the field, and probably had to prove to others and himself, that he had what it takes to play first-grade.

Yes we are all passionate easts supporters. But at the end of the day, it is still only a game. Ones health will override everything.

Good luck in your future endeavours Daniel. And thank you for wearing the mighty roosters colours.

[ROC181]

Unfortunately he was a little wild in his tackling and doesn't surprise me but I am disappointed for him. All the Best.

[TheLoneRooster]

I'm shocked and saddened by this news of Daniel's condition. Here is one player who did the jersey proud and for that I thank him profusely but now is the time to take care of the number one asset we all have and ensure his future is a healthy one. Daniel, you have my very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery and a happy and productive life ahead.

[Horry]

Best of Luck DC - one of my faves. He could offload. A really nice kid as well and always approachable

[ism22]

What shocks me is that on the field NOBODY noticed this... shows how tough he is. I'll miss the guy!

Unfortunately he's probably not on THAT much money? This means we will struggle to buy somebody of his quality for what he cost us. Guessing he's not exactly broke, so I won't play the sympathy card there, but IMO this would have severely hurt his earning potential, and unlike many who are set for life after playing NRL, he'll probably have to find a career somewhere. I'm sure he's more than capable of that (again, not getting all sorry for him or anything) but best luck with that + depression.

Takes a hero to tackle depression. My ex wife has it - cost her a marriage and access to her kids and she still can't admit it, or bring herself to get treatment. Conn is tough, and I doubt needs my sympathy... he'll have an awesome life I bet.

[Billy Gunn]

Real shame I hope he recovers, good player, great bloke will be missed.