Warbrick feared NRL career was over after concussion scare, now aiming for Storm’s prelim final

Melbourne Storm winger Will Warbrick feared his NRL career was over because of repeated concussion symptoms, but as the Storm prepare for a home preliminary final at AAMI Park, the Kiwi international says he has a clean bill of health and is eyeing a potential grand final return.

Warbrick, 27, has played in only five NRL games this season, missing roughly five months of action and training. The cross-code star’s setback tested his patience and his resolve as he navigated a careful and prolonged recovery path. Speaking ahead of Friday night’s clash with Cronulla, he said the patience demanded by concussion recovery can be as challenging as the physical work itself.

"Honestly, I don't know why it took so long," Warbrick said. "Man, it's a funny old thing, the brain. It's pretty precious and delicate, and I probably had a few more questions than answers. You know, when days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, you start having these doubts and thoughts lingering. There's the physical standpoint of the recovery, and there's also the mental aspect and the wellbeing aspect. It really took a toll."

The veteran winger described how, during the darker days, he considered the possibility that life beyond football might be on the horizon. "There's the mental aspect and the wellbeing aspect," he said. "And when you couldn't find the answers, thoughts about a post-footy career followed. You also see, unfortunately, other athletes have been in the similar position where they've had to call it. And when you see things like that happening, it's easy to sort of put yourself in their position. So look, it was a challenge."

Warbrick credited the support he received from Storm medical staff, coaches and teammates for keeping him grounded and pushing him through a demanding comeback. He said the professionals he spoke with, alongside family, gave him confidence that a return to test-level play was possible. "The professionals here, the doctors, the medical experts I spoke to...they had the confidence I would return," he said. "It was probably not something I would have got through without the support of the club. The people here, also my family, and now I'm feeling pretty good."

The timing of Warbrick’s return could not be more meaningful for Melbourne. The Storm host Cronulla in a home preliminary final, with a potential shot at a second career Grand Final appearance looming in early October. Warbrick’s journey back from a condition that briefly synced with doubt has become a focal point for a team chasing another championship, and a personal narrative of resilience for a player who has traversed both rugby league and rugby union at the highest levels. The club’s medical and coaching staff have described the comeback as careful, data-driven and thoroughly monitored, underscoring the level of caution required when an athlete’s brain health is involved.

Warbrick remains part of a broader Storm contingent that has leaned on his versatility and speed since his cross-code move. His return adds valuable depth to a squad that has faced injuries and adjustments throughout the season, and his willingness to speak publicly about the mental and emotional costs of concussion recovery provides a rare, humanizing glimpse into the process behind elite sport. If Melbourne can carry momentum through the prelim and into October, Warbrick’s comeback could stand as a defining moment not just of the season, but of his career arc, turning a period of doubt into a culmination of perseverance and faith in medical guidance.