Brett Delaney spent nine years at Headingley, registering over 200 appearances and becoming a firm fans’ favourite in West Yorkshire.
But, the scars of his career were laid bare in the wake of the concussion lawsuit set to ravage rugby league.
Beginning his career at the Parramatta Eels in 2005, Delaney made the switch to the Gold Coast Titans in 2007 before relocating to the UK ahead of the 2010 season.
Let’s face it, it was a match made in heaven.
Delaney won four Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups in his time at Headingley, impressing with his great work ethic and superb defensive capabilities, whilst also contributing to a brilliant culture inside and outside the Rhinos’ dressing room.
The Australian ended up retiring in 2019 after a move to Featherstone Rovers due to a severe eye injury, but he will forever be remembered by the Leeds faithful.
However, Delaney has now talked about the issue which forced his retirement.
“I walked off the pitch and my eye was burning. it felt like my eye was popping out and it sort of was,” Delaney told the Beneath the Jersey podcast.
“I looked at Jonesy (Jamie-Jones Buchanan) and he said ‘your eye’ and I sort of knew then my career was over because I knew it wasn’t right.
“I had surgery and they told me it would be seven weeks but that I might have a bit of blurred vision – that turned into six months and now it’s life.”
The ex-Leeds man admits that not retiring when he wanted to hurt him.
“I’ve seen loads of specialists and Leeds have done their best to try and get me back but the nerve is dead in my eye.
“When I look down my vision is blurred, but what I struggled with ii got taken away from me and I didn’t get to finish on my terms.”
