Ray White realtor, former NRL player Broderick Wright pleads guilty to drink-driving at Harris Park

A former NRL player turned real estate boss has blamed business pressures for getting behind the wheel after knocking back scotch for eight-and-a-half hours in his western Sydney office.

Broderick Wright, who was caught drink-driving after a marathon drinking session in his office. Picture: Monique Harmer

A former NRL player turned real estate boss has blamed business pressures for his decision to get behind the wheel after knocking back several glasses of scotch during an eight-hour binge at his western Sydney office.

Broderick Wright, a Ray White Parramatta director and former Eels and Sharks forward, was convicted, fined $800 and banned from driving for three months after he pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving charge on Thursday.

Parramatta Local Court heard the 37-year-old had returned a reading of 0.134 – more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit – at Harris Park on September 11.

Wright’s “nature of driving” caught the attention of highway patrol officers, who pulled his white Audi SUV over on Ruse St at 11pm after watching him reverse the car up to an intersection.

Police facts tendered to the court reveal the married father-of-two immediately admitted his guilt after getting out of the car with “watery” and “bloodshot” eyes.

“I am in the wrong,’’ he said.

Broderick Wright outside court on Thursday.

Broderick Wright during his playing days with Cronulla. Picture: Image/Action Photographics

“I have been drinking a lot.’’

The court heard Wright, of Oatlands, stated “he had numerous scotch drinks between 1pm and 9.30pm” at his office, which the auctioneer has headed since 2017.

Wright, who played 40 NRL games between 2008 and 2011, had two tacos for lunch with his drinks.

“In the opinion of the arresting police, (Wright) appeared to be moderately affected by the intoxicating liquor,’’ the facts stated.

Broderick Wright during his time at the Eels.

Wright’s solicitor, Paul Wiggins, told the court his client was experiencing business hardship and, apart from the drink-driving offence, was of good character.

Mr Wiggins said Wright came from “a very good pedigree, very good stock”.

“He unreservedly accepts he’s done the wrong thing,’’ Mr Wiggins said.

The court heard Wright also carried out charity work.

Magistrate Timothy Khoo ultimately found a conviction was inevitable.

“It’s not a terrible driving history but neither is it a flawless one,’’ he said.

Once Wright returns to the road, he will be required to have an interlock system in his car for 12 months.

Wright is one of western Sydney’s most successful realtors, having made the successful transition from professional athlete to the corporate world after achieving a bachelor of business from UTS.

In 2020, he landed in the top 3 per cent of Ray White’s elite agents across Australia, and sold 80 properties worth $65m during the 2020-2021 financial year.