South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Liam Knight reveals his battle with drugs and binge drinking

Liam Knight has taken the brave step to talk openly about his battles with alcohol. He explains to Phil Rothfield why he feels it is important to let the world know about his struggles.

Liam Knight online art sunday pub

Your first impression of an NRL front-row warhorse can be misleading.

On television and from the stands we see gladiators, rough, tough and indestructible.

It’s why the story of South Sydney Rabbitohs star Liam Knight is an important one.

He might play in the engine room in the world’s toughest collision sport but he’s as vulnerable as anyone to the perils of mental health.

Last year the 27-year-old forward had his season cut short by an illegal tackle that ruptured his ACL and MCL in his knee.

South Sydney star Liam Knight has opened up about his alcohol addiction. Picture. Phil Hillyard

He turned to binge drinking and prescription drugs, anything to escape the pain of two bouts of surgery, the gloom, the depression and the dark thoughts.

Knight emerged from 28 days in a drug, alcohol and gambling rehab centre late last year.

He still goes to Alcoholics Anonymous two nights a week and hasn’t touched a drop since.

He’s telling his story because he wants others to learn from it.

“We’ve got to get the message across that as men, we need to do something around the stigma of mental health,” he said, “That you’re not weak or you’re not soft if you stick your hand up to ask for help.”

This is his remarkable story.

THE BINGES

“I had this victim mentality,” he explains, “Poor me, poor me. It all just spiralled and I lost control of myself. I was angry on the world. Really depressed.

“I hit the party scene hard to get over it. Huge nights. Sometimes for two or three days. I was out of it. I’d go out wherever there was something going on.

“The prescription painkillers. Endone, Panadeine forte, drinking. All that stuff.

“I was a mess and in a really bad place trying to hide from everything.”

Knight said his binge-drinking sessions would go for two-to-three days at a time. Picture: AAP

GETTING HELP

It was a phone call to his coach Jason Demetriou that saved him.

“October 21 was my last drink in Byron Bay,” he said. “I was at my lowest.

“I was having some dark thoughts and knew I had to get help.

“I picked up my phone and rang J.D and told him I was in a really bad way.”

Demetriou got straight onto it. That day the pair met for coffee at a cafe in Cronulla.

“I was so nervous having to front him,” Knight said, “but he was unbelievably supportive. He and Blake Solly organised me help straight away.

“They were f…ing amazing. Like family. So caring.”

Rabbitohs head coach Jason Demetriou helped bring Knight back from the brink. Picture: Getty

THE REHAB

Knight was admitted to Foundation House in Lilyfield.

It is a rehab centre specialising in alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.

He spent 28 days there.

“A couple of people recognised me,” he said, “Not that it worried me.

“Everyone’s there for the same reason. There’s no judgment.

“It was a pretty full-on schedule. Group sessions, one on ones, Alcohol Anonymous meetings.

“I still go to AA meetings twice a week.

“I get up the front and say ‘I’m Liam I’m an alcoholic.’”

“People can judge me anyway they want. It doesn’t faze me.”

You sit back, listen and admire his honesty and bravery.

Lesser men are reluctant to even talk about it, let alone go into such detail.

“You know what,” he says, “I’m not ashamed of myself one bit.

“I just want people to hear my story because I want them to know there is help out there.

“I wish I’d done this sooner. If I can help one or two people, that’ll make the story worthwhile.”

Knight (R) has been going to Alcoholics Anonymous sessions twice a week since leaving rehab. Picture: Getty

THE TRIGGER

Knight was playing in the NSW Cup in July last year against Parramatta when Eels winger Solomone Naiduki dived at his legs while he was being held upright in a tackle.

It was a sickening incident and left the Souths forward with one of the worst knee injuries NRL medicos have seen – ACL and MCL ruptures with damage to the meniscus.

The offender got a three-week suspension – Knight has had to endure months of hell.

This followed three bouts of surgery the previous off-season on his shoulder, hip and ankle.

This time it was his knee, another shoulder operation and 12 months on the sideline.

Physical and mental pain that eventually activated his dark thoughts.

THE COMEBACK

Knight is still at least eight weeks away from returning for the Rabbitohs.

He’s off contract at the end of the season and needs to recapture his best form.

It has been such a journey but he is now in a remarkably good head space.

“I feel so good about myself and so healthy,” he said.

“All I want to do now is play football and help the boys win a few games.

“I could not have done this without the support of the coach, the players and everyone at Souths.”

Souths Liam Knight celebrates victory after the NRL Semi Final between the Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta. Picture: Brett Costello

Their love and care have meant the world.

Last year Souths players were asked to bring a photo to a team meeting of the most inspirational figure in their lives.

The people who inspire them to play NRL.

Liam took in an old picture of his mum Joanna.

His mum who tragically died from cancer when he was just a five-year-old.

“It what’s drives me,” he said, “Just to think she’d be looking down and proud of me.”