Veteran fullback Michael Gordon will be rushed straight back into the Titans team to face the Storm on Sunday less than 10 weeks after being told one more heavy knock could kill him.
What began as a minor lower left leg injury following the round nine loss to the Sharks quickly took on grave complications after it was revealed Gordon had a blood clot that stretched from his calf all the way to the inside of his groin.
It necessitated a course of medication that he completed a little over a week ago and final confirmation late last week that his bloodwork had returned to a state that would allow him to resume playing.
Such has been the concern over Gordon's welfare that Titans teammates have been told for the past two months to make as little physical contact as possible during training, the pink bib conspicuous by its absence on Tuesday morning.
Head of performance and culture Mal Meninga and co-owner Darryl Kelly made their presence felt on Tuesday at training as the club moves forward following the sacking of coach Garth Brennan, co-coaches Craig Hodges and Luke Burt taking the reins.
Match: Titans v Storm
Round 18 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Given he would have retired instantly had the advice from the specialist not been so positive, Gordon told NRL.com that he is happy to have the opportunity to finish off the season, and potentially his career in the NRL.
"There's obviously relief but the unknown was worrying me more than anything," Gordon said.
"Just to get a bit of clarity. I don't have to be on medication or anything now, it's just being more aware of certain things, wearing compression socks on long haul flights, things like that.
"From the start she was confident that it was nothing major but just something that could be serious.
"If I got the bad news I wasn't something I was going to try and argue against. Whatever the experts say, that's what I'd do.
"I think I've only missed seven games because of the byes and everything so if I finish the year I would have played 17 games.
"It doesn't sound as bad at the end but it's obviously just one of those things.
"I feel refreshed and rested but give me one or two games and I'll be feeling sore and sorry again."
Already scheduled to have ankle surgery at the end of the season, Gordon said that given the length and hardness of the clot he will also require surgery to have the affected vein removed.
"I'll have a chat to a vascular surgeon about taking the vein out at the end of the year," Gordon said.
"I've got to have ankle surgery at the end of the year anyway so I'll probably try and do it all in one go."
In addition to being able to resume his NRL career and hopefully finish it on the field, the positive diagnosis is also good news for the local Tugun Seahawks team coached by former Kangaroos prop Brent Kite.
"I'm committed to playing with the local team next year but we'll see what happens," Gordon said of his playing career beyond 2019.
After suffering a head knock against the Panthers last week centre Dale Copley will be required to pass the concussion protocols before he is cleared to face Melbourne with Brenko Lee the man likely to come into the side should he be ruled out.
