Bradford Bulls centre Adrian Purtell admits he is lucky to be alive, let alone back playing the sport he loves.
In May of last year the 28-year-old former Penrith Panther suffered a heart attack after the Bulls defeat to Leeds Rhinos at Magic Weekend.
After the game the coach got as far as Huddersfield before staff realised the extent to which Purtell’s health had deteriorated and the Australian was told he was suffering a heart attack and rushed to hospital.
After a long road to recovery Purtell was given the all-clear by specialists in early March and made his return from the bench in his side’s 34-12 win over Hull KR.
Since then Purtell has been involved in all six of the sixth-placed Bulls’ matches.
Ahead of this weekend’s clash with Warrington Wolves, Purtell insists he is loving being back in the game.
“It all happened on the Magic Weekend and at that point it looked a long road back, but thankfully I got the news through from the doctors in December that I could carry on playing and I have not looked back,” he said.
“I’ve been playing professionally since the age of 17, so to think that could all be taken away so prematurely was hard to comprehend.
“So I was absolutely over the moon to get the positive news, I’ve been down to London a couple of times for check-ups and they’ve been pleased with my progress.
“It does put everything in perspective, I am just grateful to just be alive so I want to make the most of this second chance I’ve been given.
“Warrington have been one of the top teams for the past couple of seasons, and it’s not by accident.
“We’re getting towards the halfway mark now so we don’t want to see that go to waste, ultimately the aim is to get into the play-offs and we’re well on the way.”
Nathan Brown has already used 31 players so far in an injury-decimated first season in charge of St Helens and the former St George Illawarra coach will be handing out another debut this weekend.
Prop forward Luke Thompson is set to celebrate his 18th birthday by making his Super League bow for Saints at the London Broncos on Saturday.
“Luke is a talented young kid,” Brown said. “He has been there for a while waiting for a chance and he will get that this Saturday.
Already without six senior players through injury, Brown will be missing internationals Jon Wilkin, Francis Meli and Ade Gardner for the trip to London because of suspension.
