What’s the Buzz: Canberra Raiders star Curtis Scott checks into Alcoholics Anonymous

Troubled Canberra Raiders star Curtis Scott opens up on his mental health struggles as his NRL career hangs in the balance.

Raiders centre Curtis Scott. Picture: Canberra Raiders

Canberra Raiders star Curtis Scott has turned to Alcoholics Anonymous and undergone psychiatric treatment in a desperate bid to save his rugby league career.

The troubled 23-year-old centre has told The Sunday Telegraph that he had even considered taking his own life, such was the terrible state of his mental health.

The anxiety and emotional scars from being wrongly accused of assaulting two police officers on Australia Day left him feeling “absolute rock bottom”.

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Scott’s career in the NRL is 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.

Fined $15,000 by the NRL and suspended for three matches, Scott’s career is in limbo, with the Raiders board considering whether to tear up his contract.

Raiders centre Curtis Scott is fighting to save his NRL career. Picture: Canberra Raiders

He sits by his phone every hour, every day, waiting for the phone call and a verdict. “I’ve been to the lowest of the lows,” he said. “You can’t get any lower. It was as dark as it gets.”

GETTING HELP

Scott needed to address his issues with alcohol.

“I’d had enough of feeling shit,” he said. “I probably haven’t been happy for five years.”

First call was Alcoholics Anonymous.

“I’ve had enough of letting myself and other people down,” he said. “I sourced it all (AA) on my own. I had to look into the mirror and do this myself.

“The reason I did drink was to try to escape the living hell. The pressure and the outside noise. I turned to alcohol to give myself a break and escape my problems.”

Scott now does four sessions each week with AA. They are via zoom on his mobile phone during lockdown.

“I’ve been going for about six weeks, for about an hour-and-a-half each meeting,” he said.

“It’s good hearing similar stories and what alcohol can do to your life. I’ve been listening and sharing and I’m getting more confident.

“I don’t think they even know I’m the footballer. They don’t say anything.

“We’re all the same in the meetings. Everyone goes there at rock bottom and no one’s there to judge. You hear older people who have committed to the program and they’ve stayed sober for so long. I’m getting a lot out of it. I just want to be happy.”

Curtis Scott admits he struggled with the pressure and outside noise. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

BEING SOBER

Scott has not touched a drink since he joined AA but knows there is a long way to go.

This is just the beginning.

“I’ve made a choice now,” he said. “While I’m playing rugby league I shouldn’t drink. Full stop. It brings risk to myself, my teammates and my club. I’ve got no chances left.

“I’ve come to realise that this game can be taken away from you so quickly.

“I’ve got a bad name, I know that, but I’m trying my hardest and putting some serious programs in place. With alcohol it’s about trying to stop the urge.”

THE COURT CASE

CCTV footage from Civic nightspot Kokomo’s shows Scott punching another man in the early hours of Sunday, May 30. The alleged victim subsequently lodged a complaint and police laid assault charges.

His lawyer Sam Macedone says the charge will be defended on the basis of self-defence.

“My instructions are that he was harassed and threatened and that he’s reacted in self-defence,” Macedone said.

Scott says he is looking forward to having his day in court.

“There’s two sides to every story,” he said.

The case is listed for mention on August 30 for a hearing date.

Curtis Scott has kept busy by working at his brother’s landscaping business. Picture: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images

THE LABOURER

Scott misses his teammates at the Raiders as much as his football.

And he’s not about to sit around doing nothing. It’s why he turned to his brother, who runs a landscaping business in Sydney.

“It was just moving barrows and digging holes,” he said. “Smoko at midday, all that. I actually enjoyed it and it helped keep my mind off the other stuff.

“All the gyms were closed because of lockdown so I had to do something. Being back in a team environment on jobs with the other boys and being able to keep myself busy was important.”

THE SUPPORT

The Raiders players are sticking rock solid.

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

“My partner, Zali, she’s so supportive, even if I haven’t been the happiest person to be around.

“We are getting out as much as we can, doing bush trails, just staying active, walking and jogging. And my dog, Bronx. I love him.”

He also met a man who has become his shining light and his guide to recovery.

“I called NRL welfare and they put me onto a guy, Andy, who has become my mentor,” he said. “We talk every day. Before and after AA meetings. I’ve learnt so much from him.”

Curtis Scott has had a lot of support from his Raiders’ teammates. Picture: Alix Sweeney

AUSTRALIA DAY

Scott still suffers from the emotional scars of his wrongful arrest at Moore Park after a day on the booze. Two charges of assaulting police were later thrown out of court.

The anxiety, coupled with the more recent Canberra nightclub drama, led Scott to admit to his psychiatrist he had considered suicide as his life was spiralling out of control

“I’ve haven’t been the same since,” Scott said. “It was on the front page for a few days.

“At first no one would believe my story. My crime was that I fell asleep in a park yet I’m made out to be someone who would assault a police officer.

“It knocked me about a lot. Then the truth came out. It was hard because I was trying to juggle my footy with all the speculation.”

THE FUTURE

To go public with this story is a brave move. And a good start. Scott already has a premiership ring from Melbourne Storm. Now it’s a matter of getting his football career sorted again.

“I’m not perfect but I’m not as bad as some have made out,” he said. “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.

“As a young kid I wasn’t as naturally skilful or as big and strong as some of the others. I just played with a heap of aggression.

“There was something inside me that drove me to wanting to be an NRL player and you know what … it’s still there. I’ve been in a dark place for a long time. I’m ready to move on.”

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Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Canberra Raiders star Curtis Scott checks into Alcoholics Anonymous