‘I had no idea’: Manly star reveals ‘scary’ 12-day hospital stint… and the ‘tough slog’ back

Manly fan favourite Brad Parker will shift to the second row this season — but his preparations copped a major setback during the off-season when he developed sepsis and was forced to spend 12 days in hospital.

The 26-year-old underwent clean-out surgery on his knee in October when disaster struck. He picked up a staph infection, which then developed into something much worse.

Speaking to foxsports.com.au, Parker revealed just how serious his condition was.

“I was all good and well, then 10 days later I wasn’t feeling that great. I passed out and collapsed, then my roommate came in and took me to hospital. I was in hospital for 12 days,” he said.

“It was (scary). I didn’t know what sepsis was — I had no idea. But my missus knew what was going on so she was a bit worried. I had no idea, I just thought I was sick.”

Sepsis is a serious condition which develops when the body’s immune system has an extreme reaction to infection. Without treatment it can lead to organ failure, tissue damage and even death.

In fact, according to studies approximately 8,000 people die from sepsis-related conditions each year — a confronting statistic Parker quickly learnt.

“It probably wasn’t the best timing but the nurse was trying to tell me how many people have passed away from it while I’m still in the hospital bed,” he said.

Parker, who was forced to cancel his holiday to Japan due to the illness, had his knee drained and was treated with antibiotics. But his recovery went well beyond that. After 12 days in hospital he required a walking frame to get moving again.

“At the start I couldn’t really walk. I had one of those frames to walk around that you see an old bloke with,” he laughed.

“I was with the walker for about a week. Because I was in a hospital bed for so long all the muscles went out of my legs… I didn’t have big legs to start with so it’s really hurt my confidence.”

After a “really tough slog” in hospital where he may have gotten a little excited with the morphine button, Parker is finally on his way to making a full recovery.

He explained that pre-season training has been a “slow” process because “it’s about building the steps up again” but he’s edging closer to playing.

“It’s probably not a good start to the season but I’m going really well now — just running by myself and doing lots of rehab,” Parker said.

“I’ve started to come good, but I’m just doing a lot of one-on-one work at the moment and trying to get past all of the pain.

“I haven’t been training with the boys yet but I’m trying to fight to get back for the trials… and hopefully get a ticket to (Round 1 in) Vegas.”

When the local junior does get back onto the field, we’ll see a new version of him. Parker has played 97 of his 107 NRL games in the centres but will transition to the second row to allow Reuben Garrick to shift to centre.

“(Coach Anthony Seibold) wants me to try a role in the back row, which I think I’ve always sort of headed in that direction. As soon as I started losing my speed, it’s the natural progression,” Parker said.

“I’m really excited about it, it’s a new role for me which is good. Just now with what’s happened it’s going to take time to try and build and get a spot.”