Kearsley plays first game since battle with cancer

TALENTED teenager Joseph Kearsley has played his first game of footy since his lengthy battle with cancer.

The Gold Coast Suns Academy member was recently informed his treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, which is an aggressive and rare tumour in the sinus area, had been going well and the cancer was now all gone. With his health on the improve, he had a run around with his mates on Wednesday evening for the first time in almost a year, featuring for Saints’ colts side against Centrals Trinity Beach.

Saints did not win the game against the Bulldogs but that mattered little as the entire AFL Cairns community was over the moon to see the promising youngster back.

Saints club president Craig Hards said Kearsley played well considering the long break between games.

“He was great and everyone was excited to see him back,” Hards said.

“He has not trained much because of everything that has happened but it was just great to see him back out there.

“It is a really proud day for our club to see him back.”

Hards said the Kearsley family was recently informed Joseph’s cancer was gone following treatment.

He is likely to act as Saints’ team manager for their senior side for much of the 2020 season.

Gold Coast Suns North Queensland Academy co-ordinator John Deitz said Kearsley played well in his return match. “He is a good player and even better said.

Kearsley was awarded the Cairns Saints’ best first-year player in their 2019 seniors season, before he was struck down with his cancer.

The Suns last year backed the Cairns product to be a part of their academy this year and they have allowed him to return when he feels comfortable enough to do so. kid,” Deitz