Blore swaps pumpkin soup for feasting on the Broncos

Storm back-rower Shawn Blore admits he was a 'nervous wreck' leading into last year's grand final but that was nothing compared to the empty feeling in the pit of his stomach after he wound up in hospital five weeks ago with a fractured larynx.

Blore suffered the injury trying to make a tackle against the Roosters in Round 26 and he knew instantly he was in strife.

One concern out of many for Blore, while spending two nights in hospital, was his ability to be able to consume the nutrients that he needed to maintain fitness as a professional athlete. 

Enter Melbourne Storm dietitian Georgia Walker.

Walker whipped up a plan within minutes and, alongside Storm chief medical officer Rebecca Beaton, detailed how to get Blore fighting fit for the preliminary final against the Sharks. 

“Initially, when it did happen against the Chooks, I thought my season was over,” he told 820517.com. 

“But I’ve got to give massive credit to the medical staff here, the doctors and our dietitian, Georgia - they gave me a slight glimmer of hope. That’s all I needed to hear. So I was able to put all my energy into focus on what I need to do to get back. 

“Dr Bec, she got straight on to Georgia, and she had something ready for me within minutes. I went away, and I was able to really use that.  

I'm grateful for my Mum and my partner, because they were able to cook me meals that I was able to get down fine and be able to maintain what I need to as a player

“It was soups, just soft foods, really boring stuff, but they tasted really good. I'm not much of a chef, so that's why I say thank you to my Mum and my partner. 

“I would say my favourite food was the pumpkin soup. That was definitely a highlight.” 

The Storm are no strangers to walking out to a packed AAMI Park crowd, but Blore admitted that he was not immune to emotion last Friday after making a miraculous return to the paddock.

“I got really emotional when I ran out the first time and saw everyone in the crowd,” he recalled. 

“Where I line up with the kick-off is where our families are. So when I walk to the sideline, I always see my mum and dad, my partner, my little sister, my friend's family, and my aunty and uncle. It's become a little thing that I put up a peace sign to my partner and little sister. 

“Any time we score a try, they laugh at me because I look so angry, but then I'll look up at them and I'll just put up a peace sign. I had a few good ones on the weekend.” 

Storm fans will be hoping that there are plenty of peace signs thrown from Blore to his family this Sunday.

The former Tiger is one of 15 players from this year’s preliminary final squad who took on the Panthers in last year's grand final.

He said that the team has learned their lessons and will be taking those into Accor Stadium as they chase the club's first premiership since 2020.

“Now we know to know what to expect. We know what it's like. We know the energy the crowd brings, and how fast the game is, and how free flowing the game is,” he said. 

“It’s really just about getting our preparation right this week, training well, and really just knuckling down on what's important.  

“I feel great. I actually can't wait. I was probably a nervous wreck last year, so right now, I feel amazing, and I can't wait for Sunday's chance for a bit of redemption.”