Saints star will savour showpiece after career scare
ST HELENS prop Matty Lees is hell-bent on Grand Final glory tomorrow having stared disaster in the face. Lees was told he could have died after rupturing his bowel in a game against Leeds.
Even after surgeons saved his life, he was convinced his career might be over and asked his dad to get him a job.
That’s why Lees, 23, is determined to squeeze every last inch of enjoyment out of the Old Trafford showdown with Catalans Dragons.
He said: “I appreciate everything a lot more now. I’ve not played in a Grand Final at Old Trafford but the greatest memories are made there.” Saints are hoping to make it three titles on the trot by beating the Dragons, the League Leaders’ Shield winners.
Lees played in last year’s final, which was at Hull’s KCOM Stadium for Covid reasons, but was not fit to play at Old Trafford in 2019.
He was still recovering at the time from suffering his horrific injury in an away game against Leeds weeks earlier.
“It was quite scary when it happened and afterwards I got told it could have been fatal if I’d got on the coach home with the lads,” said Lees. “At the hospital I was told I might have to have a colostomy bag, which meant I wouldn’t be able to train or play for six months at least.
“I was quite upset because I thought my career had finished there and then. I’m a qualified electrical engineer, so I asked my dad if there would be a job for me at his engineering works.
“But after the operation they said I’d got the best-case scenario – three months off and then back to normal.”
It still meant, though, that he missed out on the Challenge Cup Final, the Grand Final and selection for the Great Britain Lions tour.
He said: “I was with the lads for the Grand Final at Old Trafford and I was really happy for them but gutted that I wasn’t involved.
“I was a bit down and remember Jonny Lomax (left) coming to me in the changing rooms, telling me that we’d get back in 2020 for me.
“That meant a lot and after last year’s win, Jonny was the first person I went to and thanked. Now we’re back for the third year running and it means everything to me knowing my family can be there watching.
“Mum and dad, and my girlfriend, supported me massively through the difficult times. It’s every parent’s dream to see their lad play at Old Trafford.”
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