League international’s headaches linked to minor brain bleed
It’s a small bleed, that’s a positive, it’s not careerthreatening or anything like that. It’s a matter of finding out more about it. Peter Parr North Queensland director of football
Cowboys fullback Te Maire Martin will be sidelined indefinitely by a “small bleed on the brain” that has resulted in ongoing migraines for the Kiwis international.
North Queensland director of football Peter Parr confirmed Martin will be sent to a Townsville-based neurologist after complaining of headaches to club medical staff during the past fortnight.
Coach Paul Green identified Martin copping “a bit of a knock” in the Cowboys’ loss to Melbourne three weeks ago, but he did not show any signs of concussions then or in the time since.
The Cowboys have pored over footage of Martin’s seven NRL games this season but have been unable to pick out any on-field incident that would have led to the bleed on the brain.
At this stage the club does not believe Martin’s headaches stem from a bout of concussion suffered in a match or at training.
Martin, 23, is in good spirits according to Parr and will meet with specialists to determine the nature of his headaches and recovery time.
“He’s okay, he’s resting at the moment and that’s the only thing he can do at this point,” Parr told NRL.com.
“He’s having some different tests to get to the bottom of what’s caused it.
“It’s a small bleed, that’s a positive, it’s not career-threatening or anything like that.
“It’s a matter of finding out more about it.
“At the moment he’ll just rest up, we’ll conduct the appropriate tests and get him in to see the appropriate people and we’ll continue to make decisions after that.”
Martin has played 49 games for the Cowboys since a mid-season transfer from Penrith two years ago, playing a lead role in North Queensland’s unlikely march to the 2017 grand final.
Fellow New Zealand international Jordan Kahu replaces Martin at fullback for tonight’s home clash with the Titans, bringing Tom Opacic back into first grade at centre.