- Ryan Stig mAde made his first grade debut for the Knights in 2011.
- He was diagnosed with Lyme disease the following year.
Former Newcastle Knights halfback Ryan Stig is aiming for a remarkable return to football 14 years since his last NRL appearance after winning his battle against an illness he thought would kill him.
Stig, 34, played 13 first grade matches in 2011 and looked to be on the rise as an astute halfback.
But his career took a turn the following year when he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, a life-threatening condition caused by the bite of a tick that carries harmful bacteria.
Desperately searching for answers, Stig ended up in Mexico, Switzerland and Germany, where he received hyperthermia treatment, which subjects patients to high temperatures in an attempt to kill cancer and infections.
“They knocked me out and heated my body to 42 degrees and kept me at that stage for eight hours,” he recalled.
‘I felt that the radical treatment was the turning point and since then little by little I have been recovering my life.
“I have worked very hard for my health and I still eat organic foods.”
After doctors gave him the green light to return, Stig played in two reserve games for the Knights this year.
Former Newcastle Knights halfback Ryan Stig is aiming for a remarkable return to football, 14 years after his last NRL appearance (pictured in 2011).
Stig, 34, played 13 first-grade games in 2011 for Newcastle and looked to be on the rise as an astute halfback.
Sitg’s career took a turn after she was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, a life-threatening condition caused by the bite of a tick that carries harmful bacteria (pictured this year).
But the NSW Cup is not enough: now Stig wants to play with Adam O’Brien and alongside Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best.
“A few years ago I was more worried about whether I would live or die. I never dreamed I would play in the league again,” he said. Wide world of sports.
‘I had thrown the game away and just wanted to live for my family. So getting back on the field was something very special.”
After the likes of Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger, Tyson Gamble, Will Pryce and Phoenix Crossland failed to earn a place in the halves this year, Stig may sense an opportunity.
“I’d like to do an NRL pre-season and see what happens,” the former Australian Schoolboys representative said.
‘Yes, I am 34 years old, but I don’t feel it because I have played very little football in the last 14 years.
“I feel I have a lot to offer the young people at the club and all I ask for is an opportunity.”