NRL 2021: Curtis Scott released by Canberra as secret altercation emerges as catalyst for sacking

Troubled NRL star Curtis Scott’s time at Canberra is over after it has been revealed a secret altercation at a club function proved too much for the Raiders.

Curtis Scott of the Raiders look dejected after defeat during the round 11 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Melbourne Storm at GIO Stadium, on May 22, 2021, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

A physical altercation between teammates Curtis Scott and John Bateman last year was the secret catalyst behind the Canberra Raiders decision to sack the troubled centre on Monday.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Scott and Bateman had a fight after a team function, in which Scott suffered a hand injury that forced him to miss several games.

Scott’s lawyer Sam Macedone confirmed there was an incident but declined to comment on it.

Raiders management had no idea of the incident until the next morning.

The Raiders issued a statement on Monday confirming Scott’s contract had been terminated, effective immediately, but made no mention of the altercation last year that was kept in-house.

The pair later reconciled and it had no bearing on Bateman’s decision to leave the club to return home to England after a messy split with the club management.

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The Raiders issued a statement on Monday confirming Curtis Scott’s contract had been terminated.

Always one to protect his players, coach Ricky Stuart urged for the matter to be dealt with internally.

However, on top of the Australia Day episode last year when he went out drinking against the club’s wishes and the assault charges from a Canberra nightclub on May 30, the decision was made to terminate his contract.

He had two years remaining on his deal at $600,000 a season.

Scott has been stood down since round 12 after his involvement in the Canberra nightclub incident. He says he will vigorously defend the assault charges and claim he was provoked.

The NRL fined Scott $15,000 and suspended him for three games.

The Raiders then tore up his contract just 24 hours after he had spoken in The Sunday Telegraph of joining Alcoholics Anonymous to beat his issues.

The club’s statement on Monday read: “The Canberra Raiders board of directors today decided to terminate the contract of Curtis Scott effective immediately.

“The board carefully considered the statements made at the ‘show cause’ hearing with Curtis Scott on August 17 and the material supplied afterwards.

Scott has been in trouble in the past, including Australia Day last year when he went out drinking against the club’s wishes.

“The board decided that Curtis Scott’s prior behaviour and recent assault charge has brought the Club into disrepute, and they could not ignore this and the responsibilities that his NRL playing Contract entails.

“The board said the club would continue to support Curtis Scott’s ongoing rehabilitation and it will be in contact with NRL Welfare in this regard. The club will be making no further comment on the issue.”

Scott’s lawyer Sam Macedone will consider taking legal action for unfair dismissal and is waiting on instructions from a senior barrister before making his next move.

“I’m not perfect but I’m not as bad as some have made out,” Scott told The Sunday Telegraph. “I haven’t done myself many favours but I know the type of person I am and so do the people I’m close to.”

The reaction from the Canberra Raiders players will be interesting as they fight to keep their finals hopes alive.

Scott said over the weekend the Raiders players were sticking rock solid.

“Joshy Hodgson texts me every day,” he said, “Jack Wighton, Elliott Whitehead, Bailey Simonsson, Sam Williams … they’ve all been checking in.”

The Canberra Raiders have vowed to continue to support Scott’s ongoing rehabilitation.

Sacked: Raiders cut ties with wayward star Scott

Canberra has torn up the contract of Curtis Scott.

The Raiders announced the decision on Monday, declaring in a statement: “The board decided that Curtis Scott’s prior behaviour and recent assault charge has brought the club into disrepute, and they could not ignore this and the responsibilities that his NRL playing Contract entails.

“The board said the club would continue to support Curtis Scott’s ongoing rehabilitation and it will be in contact with NRL Welfare in this regard.”

Scott’s career in the NRL was hanging in the balance after a nightclub incident on May 30 in the national capital which led to police laying assault charges which he will vigorously defend.

He was fined $15,000 by the NRL and suspended for three matches.

Scott on the weekend revealed to The Sunday Telegraph he had turned to Alcoholics Anonymous and undergone psychiatric treatment in a desperate bid to save his rugby league career.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Curtis Scott released by Canberra as secret altercation emerges as catalyst for sacking