Fans stunned as star footballer cops an eye injury ‘due to pre-match fireworks’ just before NRL finals game kicks off
- Canberra Raiders NRL star Joey Leilua struck in the eye by fragment of fireworks
- Was running onto the field ahead of final clash against Melbourne Storm
- Has since been given the all-clear and has started the game from the bench
An NRL star has narrowly avoided serious injury after he was struck by fireworks in front of shocked fans prior to kick off of a blockbuster finals match.
Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua was running onto the field ahead of his side’s showdown against Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Saturday night when a fragment of pre-game pyrotechnics lodged in his eye.
Leilua received medical attention before he left the field and headed towards the dressing room for further assessment.
Raiders star Joey Leilua leaves the ground after being hit in the eye by a fragment of fireworks
‘Apparently a firework went off near his eye,’ Channel Nine’s microphones picked up on the sidelines.
Leilua was unable to start the game with Bailey Simonsson taking his place in the starting line-up and scored the opening try in the first five minutes.
Leilua entered the game from the bench at the 20th minute as his side enjoyed a 6-2 half-time lead.
The NRL says it will investigate the bizarre pre-match mishap.
Joey Leilua was running onto AAMI Park prior to kick-off when the bizarre mishap occurred