By Jonathan B Geddes

INJURED Warringah hooker Wes Thomas may not have been on the field, but he still inspired his Rats to an impressive 46-19 preliminary final win over Gordon at Narrabeen on Saturday.

The Ken Catchpole Medal winner, who suffered a severe central cord syndrome neck injury playing against Sydney University on August 1, surprised the players by walking into the team meeting before the game.

His appearance, organised by coach Josh Holmes, was a spontaneous feel-good moment that visibly lifted his teammates in a way that nothing else could.

It showed just how important Thomas is to the team as they now prepare to face Easts in this Saturday’s grand final at Leichhardt Oval for the second successive year. 

“The boys all got excited to see him come in, it was a massive lift. They all applauded him for about a minute,” Holmes said. “It was awesome and probably what Wes needed as well.”    

It was a special occasion for Thomas, his first outing from the Royal Ryde Rehab Hospital, where he continues his recovery from a frightening injury that sparked an incredible wave of support for him and his young family.

“When I went in and saw the boys before the game, it was pretty good – I haven’t seen a few of the boys since my injury,” Wes told Rugby News after the game.

“It was good to come out and see the boys, and better to see them win.

“I really wish I was out there.”

It is a measure of his character that, despite his immense challenges, Wes has a positive outlook and a smile on his face when greeted by a stream of well-wishers at Rat Park.

“The rehab has been really good, and I’m doing it twice a day. I’ll head back after this (to the Ryde Rehab Hospital), and then I’ll be back at Leichhardt next week,” said Thomas, who was wearing a neck brace as a precaution in case someone accidentally bumped into him.

“I’ve just been looking after myself, taking it day by day. All the boys, all the coaches, my family – they have been helping me heaps as well.”

THE BIG BOOST

THE players described that genuine outpouring of emotion when Wes entered the meeting room.

Newly signed Waratahs backrower Luke Reimer, who produced a barnstorming performance against Gordon, summed up how much of a boost Thomas gave the playing group.

“I haven’t heard a cheer so loud in this group for someone who is so loved,” Reimer said. “That was definitely a massive motivator today seeing him  – I had no idea he was coming in.”

Fellow backrower Charlie McKill said: “When he walked into the meeting before the game, I don’t think the boys could believe it. Wessy means a lot to us, and we will all carry him with us next week.”

Prop Bo Abera described having Wes back with the team as quite emotional.

One of Wes’s rocks has been his mum Cindie, who was with him at Saturday’s game.

“I’m a proud mum, and I always have been proud of him,” she said. “He has come a long way, and I know he wants to be out there with the boys, but all he can do is cheer from the sideline next week, and he’s still part of the team.”

A GoFundMe for Thomas has raised just over $205,000 so far. Click here to support!

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

WARRINGAH’S gutsy performance to beat Gordon was based around brutal defence and real physicality. And they got the result despite having two players yellow-carded.

That sets the scene for a fantastic grand final against a very strong Easts outfit who have been impressive all season.

“To be honest, I’m just really proud of the boys today and how they turned up,” Holmes said.

He said Gordon are a very good team who have been very physical recently.

“We had a good game plan, we went about our business and got a really good outcome -we got the outcome we deserved,” he said.

“We were really good with our line speed, quite brutal with our tackles and we were very physical.

“Now the mind turns to Easts, and we’ve got a job to do.”