Fallen star Curtis Scott meets with NRL, asks for rugby league lifeline

Curtis Scott has a chequered history with the law and alcohol but he explains why he believes he should be given another chance in the NRL.

Exiled rugby league player Curtis Scott has presented a case to the NRL to try to convince the league to give him a final chance to resurrect his career.

Scott, 26, has had discussions with some clubs about a potential return and has told the NRL he has transformed his life off the field over the past two years.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that if Scott was granted a return he wants a contract clause that would ban him from drinking alcohol.

“A lot of the mistakes I’ve made happened when I was under the influence of alcohol,” Scott said.

“I’ve cut it out of my life. I attend AA meetings.”

Scott, 26, won a premiership with Melbourne Storm in 2017 and was regarded as a future NSW State of Origin representative but his career has been plagued by a string of off-field incidents.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order in 2022 after being found guilty of three charges against his ex-girlfriend assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and stalk or intimidate with the intention of causing fear or physical harm.

Scott had been sacked by the Canberra Raiders in 2021 for a separate offence before the assault charge.

His Raiders axing came as a result of a nightclub altercation but he was later cleared in court.

Curtis Scott says he has cut alcohol out of his life. Picture: Richard Dobson

Scott remains locked in a civil battle with NSW Police as he sues them for what a magistrate ruled was an “unlawful” arrest on Australia Day in 2020.

“I am sorry,” Scott said. “I regret all the incidents heavily. They play on my mind daily. I’m extremely sorry I’ve brought the game into disrepute.

“I have to wake up and look at myself in the mirror every day and sometimes it’s hard to see.

“I want to prove to myself that I’ve grown as a person. I’ve made mistakes yes. But I’ve learnt from them. I want to help others.

“I am ready for the blowback. Everyone has their opinion of me and I don’t blame them for having a poor opinion of me. I own that. Now it’s about fixing my mistakes.

“Why should I be back? Because of the amount of work I’ve done on myself and continue to do. My remorse. I have been in programs. I know I’ve made mistakes but I feel like I can help people that have grown up similar to me or have similar issues I can help and benefit them.”

Scott played bush football this year with Thirlmere but his off-field record has ensured he is not guaranteed a return to the NRL.

“People make mistakes,” Scott said. “I haven’t hidden behind any mistakes. All my mistakes I’ve owned. I’ve been hit with a big punishment. I haven’t played in the NRL for the last two and a half years. I’ve struggled to find my feet.

“I’ve worked with a lot of psychologists and professionals in that area to work on my emotions so when things aren’t going so well I don’t spiral. I surround myself with good people. I have a small group of mates.

“I’ve worked out that alcohol and myself doesn’t work well together.”

Curtis Scott won a premiership in Melbourne before moving to Canberra. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Parramatta’s Dylan Brown was suspended for seven games after pleading guilty to two charges of sexual touching earlier this year.

The NRL are also considering a contract offer from the Roosters to former wayward centre Michael Jennings.

Jennings lost an appeal after a judge awarded his ex-wife $500,000 for alleged abuse during their marriage.

Scott’s said his return would come with a guarantee.

“If I get an opportunity to play in the NRL I won’t be drinking,” Scott said.

Scott with his partner Zali Fay, nephew Chace and nieces Indi and Ila. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I’ll be putting that in my contract to not drink alcohol so it minimises the possibility of me making a mistake. I’ve presented my case to the NRL and detailed all the work over the last two years. I hope they read through that and see the work I’ve put in so these things don’t happen again.”

Scott has not played since May 2021. He has flirted with boxing and has been offered to step into the ring but has so far resisted the temptation as he tries to keep his NRL ambitions alive.

He has also been working as a landscaper.

“I feel like I’ve grown up a lot as a person,” Scott said. “I’ve learnt what works and what doesn’t work. I’ll continue to work on making the best decisions and not putting myself in bad positions where you can get in trouble.”

Originally published as Fallen star Curtis Scott meets with NRL, asks for rugby league lifeline