Newtown Jets open to kickstarting career of troubled former NRL forward Chris Grevsmuhl
After more than two years out of the limelight, troubled former NRL forward Chris Grevsmuhl has been offered a way back into the big time as Canterbury Cup premiers Newtown Jets come calling.
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The Newtown Jets are open to resurrecting the career of troubled former NRL forward Chris Grevsmuhl.
News Corp Australia can reveal the Jets have held discussions with Grevsmuhl about a potential Canterbury Cup stint if he can find a job in Sydney.
At this point the Townsville-born back-rower has indicated that he wants to focus on rebuilding his life before attempting a league comeback.
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Grevsmuhl, 26, has spent the last three years with Group 10 club Orange CYMS after failed stints at South Sydney, Penrith and the Gold Coast.
Grevsmuhl left the Titans in 2017 following allegations he took payment from fans for a number of his jerseys without delivering the goods.
Gold Coast refused to comment whether or not this incident was the reason they released the former Queensland Origin hopeful.
Jets coach Greg Matterson is willing to accommodate Grevsmuhl if he changes his mind.
“We are still open to discussion,” Matterson said about potentially signing Grevsmuhl, who has played 48 NRL games for the Panthers, Rabbitohs and Titans.
“But until he sets himself up and he is right to go, we are not an NRL club.
“We won’t take them on until they have things off the field sorted out.
“But the jury is still out. We want to make sure that he is in the right frame of mind before we take him on.”
Penrith released Grevsmuhl on compassionate grounds in 2016. He later revealed the pressure of being an NRL player became so overwhelming he walked away from the game for his mental welfare.
As a result he suffered from depression, lost his desire to play and removed himself from family, friends and teammates.
It’s why Grevsmuhl ditched the dollars and notoriety for a normal life in the Central West NSW town of Orange working as a builder and helping out the local football side.
Matterson acknowledges that Grevsmuhl has been plagued by off-field problems but he is willing to help.
“He (Chris) has had issues in the past and he is working through them,” he said.
“I believe he would be okay to play NSW Cup and that would be a stepping stone to try and get back into the NRL.
“The players have got to have some responsibility as well. As a NSW Cup club we don’t get to have control of the players all day like an NRL club.
“We only get to have them for a little bit of time, so what they do with the rest of their time is pretty vital to their life.
“But the door is still open for Chris if he wants.”