DURING the 1317 days between Cody Ramsey’s appearance for the Sydney Roosters last night and his previous NRL game, his very life was in jeopardy.
So it’s no surprise the 26-year-old could not contain his emotions when he was called off the bench before 25,000 fans at Allianz Stadium tonight.
When he was suffering from the ulcerative colitis that wiped out his 2023 and 2024 seasons, just being healthy again was the winger’s priority.
“I’m grateful to everyone who’s a part of it, what everyone has done for me to get where I am,” Ramsey told Triple M after the Roosters’ 38-24 win over Brisbane.
“…a lot of hard work, a lot of hard work.”
Asked if he could believe where he where he was, Ramsey answered: “Nah, no way.
“Well actually I can – because I worked my arse off for it. I can.”
Asked if he expected to come on in the match, where he replaced injured Mark Nawaqanitawase, he said: “I’ve been seeing a lot of people get on, 18th (men), from that six-man bench.
“And I just … I’ve been patient, I bided my time.
“I felt OK, a bit rusty. In that second half, I couldn’t catch a ball to save my life but I fixed it up and I was good.
“The build-up’s over, isn’t it? I played and I can do it. I’ve played Cup these last two years and I can do that. We got to the grand final last year.
“So the sky’s the limit and that’s what I’m chasing.”
Despite the fact the odds were that he would not get on the field, Ramsey said of his partner Tahlia.
“She’s the type of lady to come to every single game and tonight she’s up there in the box with my family,” Ramsey said.
“They said they’re going to be there no matter what. The kids are up late, they go to bed at six, and my partner, she said she knew I’d get on.
“She’s been coming to every one.”
Given that Nawaqanitawase has a syndesmosis injury, it won’t be another 1317 days until Ramsey’s next NRL game.
