RORY Kostjasyn gets short of breath when he climbs a flight of stairs.
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He has to focus on breathing as he talks and often drops words at the end of a sentence.
For the most part, he communicates in whispers.
Kostjasyn, the Knights hooker and North Queensland Cowboys premiership-winner, realised two months ago that his days as a professional rugby league player were over.
A stray elbow to the throat from teammate Danny Levi in a routine training drill in January effectively ended his time as a Knight before it began.
“It’s very disappointing,” Kostjasyn said on Tuesday. “Most footballers have been elbowed or kneed in the throat and been fine. This one just hit me in the sweet spot. Unfortunately, that is how it goes. There were a lot of times throughout my career where I tried to get to the Knights but it just didn’t happen. Now I’m finally here, I won’t get to put on the red and blue jersey. It sucks, but it could have been worse.”
The official announcement on Tuesday that Kostjasyn had called it quits one year into a three-year deal at Newcastle was more about the next chapter in his life.
The 30-year-old will coach the club’s under-16s in 2018 and work alongside Scott Dureau overseeing the Elite Pathways program.
“To be honest, I knew two-to-three months ago that I was done,” he said. “When the specialist showed me that my airway was 40 per cent smaller than it was, I realised it was going to be pretty difficult for me to breathe the way I need to breathe to be able to do my job on the field. I thought I’d wait [to announce retirement] until I knew exactly what I would be doing. The plan was to play for another three or four years. I’m disappointed that I am not going to play footy, but I am very happy that I will still be involved in footy, and very grateful to the Knights for their support of me in this next phase.”
Kostjasyn, who helped the Cowboys win a maiden premiership in 2015, and Manly second-rower Jamie Buhrer were recruited by Nathan Brown to add leadership and experience to his bunch of NRL L-platers.
“From a leadership point of view, and what he has provided for the younger guys at video sessions and training, we still consider him a good signing,” Brown said. “We needed some genuine leadership and players who have come from good systems. In Rory and Jamie we got that. Unfortunately Rory hasn’t got on the field but he has provided a lot away from it.”
Kostjasyn’s condition, despite multiple operations, is irreparable.
“The first couple of weeks after the injury I couldn’t speak at all,” he said. “You can imagine how difficult that was not only on me but my partner. My airway won’t improve but hopefully my body will adapt to help me breathe a bit better and my voice might improve a little bit. When I am speaking I have to breathe a little bit different and I might lose a word at the end of a sentence. Walking up stairs I get shorter of breath than I used to.”
Kostjasyn made his NRL debut for Melbourne in 2010 and joined the Cowboys in 2013.
“For a pretty average footballer I have had some above average highlights,” he said. “I can’t be too disappointed. I wasn't fast, big or super skilful but I just worked very hard to do my job for my teammates. When I reflect, I have been lucky to be a part of some great clubs and playing groups.”
Meanwhile, Ken Sio replaces Chanel Mata’utia (concussion) on the wing for the clash against the Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
