Cody Ramsey will miss his second consecutive year of rugby league as he continues to battle serious health problems which have derailed his burgeoning NRL career with St George Illawarra.
Ramsey was hospitalised with ulcerative colitis in 2022 and has since undergone multiple surgeries as he struggles to overcome the illness.
St George Illawarra fullback Cody Ramsey ruled out for the 2024 NRL season
“We won’t see him play this year,” the new Dragons coach, Shane Flanagan, told SEN.
MORE: NRL casualty ward – All the latest news ahead of the Pre-Season Challenge
“He’s had a real battle with his illness and then post-illness, he just seems to be getting on top of it and then he gets another infection.
“He’s been in and out of hospital a lot of times – he’s lost a lot of weight.”
Ramsey was originally taken to hospital after experiencing pain in his stomach during a long-distance run at pre-season training under former coach Anthony Griffin.
The club’s General Manager of Football, Ben Haran, then later confirmed the inflammatory bowel condition would sideline him for an unknown period of time.
“He’s a lot better now,” Flanagan stated as he provided the latest update on Ramsey.
“He and his partner just recently had a baby which is great, and the focus is for him to look after his young family.
“It’s about just getting back to normal health. Football is probably a long way down the track.
“If we can get him 12 months out of hospital and looking after himself, put some weight on him – then there’s a chance he can come back and play rugby league.
“At this stage, playing is not a priority for him.”
Ramsey has made 36 appearances for the Red V to date after debuting for the club in 2020.
He only played three times in his debut season, before becoming a regular fixture in the side in the following two campaigns where he scored 12 tries and provided five assists.
Cody Ramsey contract
The horrific illness came just as Ramsey looked ready to establish himself as first choice fullback ahead of Tyrell Sloan.
After starting the 2022 season on the wing, he claimed the No.1 jersey in Round 11 and retained it for the rest of the campaign before being sidelined heading into 2023.
The 23-year-old has one year remaining on his deal which he signed back in 2021.
