NRL star’s cousin, 19, tragically dies in hospital after suddenly collapsing on the footy field during his debut first grade game
A young rugby league prospect who is the cousin of Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner has died after collapsing on a footy field at the weekend.
Joel Dark, 19, suffered a seizure after being knocked to the head as he was playing his debut first grade game for Newcastle Central on Sunday.
A fellow player gave Joel CPR and he was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and was in a critical condition for five days.
But he died on Friday morning, two days before his 20th birthday, after ‘fighting with all his might’, lifelong friends Paul Worboys and Chris Corcoran said.
His mates broke the tragic news to loved ones after raising $100,000 to help his family through the tough time. ‘Hug the ones you love today,’ they said.
In a statement this afternoon, the NSW Rugby League said officials were ‘saddened to hear of the tragic passing today of Central Newcastle player Joel Dark.’
‘Joel, 19, had been in a critical condition in John Hunter Hospital since he collapsed on field during a Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League First Grade match against Western Suburbs at St John Oval on Sunday 6 September.’
The game was stopped after the horrific accident, with Mr Dark suffering the blow when he was tackled.
Local newspaper The Newcastle Herald reported that his dad had given him his jersey before he ran out on Sunday – Father’s Day.
All Newcastle Rugby League fixtures for this weekend have been postponed out of respect for the young man’s family.
Cordner paid tribute to his cousin, known to friends as ‘Squid’, as ‘one of the best blokes you will ever meet’ in a social media post this week.
It’s unclear whether Cordner will play against Newcastle at the SCG at the weekend in the wake of the tragedy.
A social media photo shows him Joel celebrating with his cousin following the Kangaroos’ victory at the 2017 World Cup.
Mr Worboys and Mr Corcoran had this week spearheaded a GoFundMe fundraiser for Joel’s family which had sparked an outpouring of support.
A young autistic girl even donated her pocket money to the cause.
But Joel’s friends broke the tragic news of his death earlier today.
‘It’s with great sadness that we are bringing you this update, after a few days of fighting with all his might, Joel wasn’t able to overcome his terrible brain injury and he left this world this morning,’ Mr Worboys and Mr Corcoran said.
‘Obviously everyone is still in shock and we would ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time.
‘Hug the ones you love today’.
