BRO GET ‘EM
Think the Titans’ Origin debutant Jarrod Wallace is tough? You should meet his brother
AN entire state wants Origin rookie Jarrod Wallace to rip the heart out of the NSW forward pack tonight – and he’s not even the toughest footballer in his family.
That honour surely goes to 18-year-old brother Cooper who has battled back from the physical and emotional pain of losing an eye in a freak golfing incident to return to the footy field with Parkwood Sharks’ top-grade side.
“He was absolutely incredible during the whole thing,” father Craig Wallace says of his youngest son’s resolve after a golf ball ruptured his right eye at a local driving range in 2015.
“It was a traumatic thing to happen to a 16-year-old … but he stayed really strong.”
Two years ago Cooper was a talented backrower with hopes of following in his big brother’s footsteps. Confirmation of his ability came within hours of his injury.
“The day after the incident I got an email saying he had been selected in the South-East Queensland under-16 side,” Craig recalls.
“I took about four weeks to tell him because that’s all he was playing for that year. He actually made it while playing in a Division Two side so it was a mighty achievement. Who knows where he’d be now but it is what it is.”
A rugby league family to its core, the Wallaces will be beside themselves just after 8pm when eldest son Jarrod runs on to Sydney’s ANZ Stadium for his Origin debut.
With a horde of the Gold Coast Titan’s family and friends in the stands, it will also be the culmination of what Craig describes as “a pretty tough couple of years”.
“Having to make the call to remove Cooper’s eye was probably the hardest decision Sharon and I have had to make as a couple,” the father of four recalls. “They tried to repair it but unfortunately it was unsuccessful and about a month later the decision was made to remove the eye.
“Jarrod was away (when the incident happened) and it’s not the call you want to make ... as soon as he landed he was straight up to the hospital and even when he went back to training, he was ringing him every day and popping up when he could.”
A Runaway Bay Seagulls legend, Craig has guided Cooper’s return to the footy field as head coach at Parkwood where he also mentors 19-year-old son Logan.
“It was a bit frightening going back to his footy but we just had to reinforce a few little tricks,” he says.
“It hasn’t affected his ability. I just had to work extra closely with him to adapt with catching and passing, looking at defence ... and he’s playing some really good footy.” And he’s also loving it. “Being back on the field has been the best thing,” Cooper says. “That got me through the hard times – knowing I would play footy again.
“It’s been a massive road to go down. We’re not to the end yet but we’re getting there.”