NRL 2021: Curtis Scott handed three-match ban for nightclub brawl
After learning his NRL fate over a nightclub brawl, Curtis Scott’s Canberra future is under a cloud despite being contracted for two more seasons.
Curtis Scott could have played his last NRL game for the season after being left out of Canberra’s 30-man Queensland hub squad on the day he learnt his fate over a nightclub incident.
The NRL on Tuesday issued Scott a breach notice over his involvement in an ugly nightclub fight in Canberra, and then choosing not to inform the club before it was exposed through the media.
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As part of it, the Raiders centre has been hit with a $15,000 fine — which will rise to $30,000 due to an existing suspended sentence — and a three-match ban.
However, given Scott has been stood down by the Raiders since Round 14, that time served will count towards his NRL suspension, meaning he is now free to return to the field.
But, in a hammer blow to Scott’s season, The Daily Telegraph has been told he has not been named as part of the Raiders’ group to fly into the Queensland hub on Wednesday.
The Raiders’ stance throws the 23-year-old’s future in Canberra into question, despite Scott being contracted until the end of 2023.
Disturbing footage emerged in May allegedly showing Scott punching a man before being ejected from the venue.
The NRL issued Scott with a breach notice, alleging he brought the game into disrepute during the May 30 incident.
TURBO-LESS MANLY EXPOSED BY RAIDERS
Martin Gabor
Someone call Geoff Toovey because there needs to be an investigation into what happened on Thursday night.
Just days after they were humiliated by the lowly Titans, Canberra produced one of the upsets of the season to stun a Sea Eagles side that had been playing the slickest football in the NRL over the past two months.
Their fans left early in pure disgust last week but they would have been proud as the Raiders moved level with the eighth-placed Sharks to somehow rocket back into finals contention.
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The hosts were without stars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans but they were still expected to make light work of the Raiders given they walloped the Bulldogs 66-0 last week.
But without Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii and Elliott Whitehead, Ricky Stuart’s men went back to basics to pick up their sixth win of the season with a 30-16 victory at 4 Pines Park.
It wasn’t pretty, but the bash and barge approach was just what the doctor ordered.
Joseph Tapine came on after 12 minutes for Dunamis Lui (calf) and played like a man possessed with 165 metres in the first half. In comparison, the Sea Eagles starting pack managed 159 metres between them in the opening 40.
The Raiders ditched the lime green for an unflattering blue and grey number, and the move from flashy colours set the tone for their workmanlike performance.
Veteran Sam Williams scored a double with two simple dummies from close to the line, while he and halves partner Matt Frawley broke Manly’s spirit with eight line dropouts.
FLIGHTLESS FALCON
It’s probably a good thing the Sea Eagles had a garbage truck on the famous hill because this was the sort of performance that deserved to be thrown in the bin.
The night started promisingly when fill-in fullback Dylan Walker strolled over from a scrum, but things went downhill from the moment Brad Parker had a try overturned by the Bunker.
Moses Suli summed up their ineptitude when he turned his back on a kick to block the chasers and copped a falcon that resulted in a comical try to Seb Kris.
It wasn’t as bad as the dark days of the opening month, but their push for the top four has taken a huge hit with the Eels now six points clear.
SAVAGE TAKES HIS CHARNZE
His first taste of footy ended in controversy after he was wrongly brought on as the 18th man against the Dragons, but Xavier Savage can now say he’s a first-grader after impressing in his first start at fullback.
There are huge raps on the teenager and he showed why with a couple of big plays that will do his confidence the world of good moving forward.
With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad out for the season and Bailey Simonsson set to be sidelined for a number of weeks, Savage has a chance to make the fullback position his own.
We didn’t get to see his lightning speed, but he wasn’t afraid to carry the ball out of trouble.
He also would have impressed his coach when he sprinted across to force an error to deny what would have been a certain Parker try.
Meet the NRL’s new fastest man
– David Riccio
Xavier Savage’s mother Erica sold home-made cupcakes and raffle tickets hoping to fund her boy’s dream to compete at the Olympics.
Only a couple of years ago, Savage was the fastest teenager in Queensland over 100-metres and 200-metres and was also the state’s long jump champion.
Savage has since swapped his gold medal mission for the NRL – and his decision to trade his track spikes for football boots has paid off.
On a cold Thursday night in July at Brookvale Oval, Savage made his official NRL debut at fullback for the Raiders in their must-win clash against Manly.
Not only is the 19-year-old planning to prove a proud mother’s sacrifice and baking skills was worth it – but why he could be the NRL’s new fastest-man.
“As soon as I get the ball it’s reaction time, off-the-mark, and I just open up,” Savage said recently.
“I look where I need to go and I’ve got the speed to burn.”
Boasting speed to rival the NRL’s fastest-flyers including Josh Addo-Carr, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and James Roberts, Savage clocked 10.95 secs to win the 100m event at the 2018 Queensland Junior Athletics Championships.
“He is one of the most natural athletes I have seen for some time,’’ world regarded athletics coach Eric Brown said at the time.
At Raiders training, Savage is like lightning.
Long-time Raiders officials won’t say it publicly – but they rate Savage faster than three of the club’s quickest players of all-time Noa Nadruku, Ken Nagas and Brett Mullins.
Of the current stars; Addo-Carr, Roberts and Tabuai-Fidow are considered the game’s fastest in the league.
Addo-Carr’s running speed of 36.8km/h was the fastest of round-16, according to the NRL’s Telstra Tracker.
Savage, grew-up in Cairns dominating on the athletics track before moving to Brisbane Boys College to play rugby union.
He was scouted by the Roosters to play with their SG Ball squad in 2018 before joining the Raiders last year.
He has just extended his future at the club until 2022 and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart would prefer if Savage made his official NRL debut without the hype of expectation.
But the coach also appreciates why many Canberra fans were hoping the club’s season-long search for their x-factor was over with the arrival of Savage.
“He’s very fast, but he’s a young boy and a football field is a lot different to a track field,’’ Stuart said.
“Xavier, along with a number of other young recruits are who Peter Mulholland (head of recruitment) has worked hard to re-sign so that over the next 12-months they’re all playing first grade.
“As much as we’re really disappointed with our season, we’re not taking our eye off the future.’’
The Raiders have gone all out to make Savage’s debut special after he was at the centre of a bungled appearance three weeks ago after being brought in under the league’s new 18th man system.
The teen was mistakenly called onto the field after a concussion to Sebastian Kris, but celebrations were cut short when Savage was hooked just 11-minutes later, as sheepish Raiders officials scrambled to get him off the field.
Thursday night marks his official entry on the NRL start line.
With tears running down his face on Wednesday, Savage received a special video message from club legend Laurie Daley, Jack Wighton from inside NSW State of Origin camp and of course, his proud mum, Erica.
“I can’t believe I’m here – I’ll cherish this jersey,’’ Savage said.
“I’ve got big shoes to fill, I’ll do you all proud.’’
Sea Eagles make big call on Walker’s future
Manly are preparing to show faith in Dylan Walker by offering him a new two-year deal.
Ahead of Walker’s key role against the Raiders on Thursday night, News Corp has learned the starting halfback has received an offer to extend his future at Manly until the end of 2023.
Off-contract this year, Walker will wear the number seven jersey against Canberra at Four Pines Park due to the omission of captain Daly Cherry-Evans, who is away on State of Origin commitments with Queensland.
NSW star Tom Trbojevic is also unavailable for the match.
The new contract-offer for Walker is a show of solidarity by Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
The 26-year-old has been no stranger to off-field drama.
He brought an unwanted glare on the club last year when he was eventually fined $10,000 by the NRL and suspended for one-match after assaulting a pizza shop owner.
The former NSW and Test player has also endured a hamstring injury that has limited his game time in 2021.
Thursday night’s clash with Canberra is his eighth appearance for the year.
Capable of playing almost any position in the backline, Walker‘s versatility is what appeals to Hasler.
Manly‘s two-year offer has been tabled and club officials hope the powerful ball-runner will commit in coming weeks.
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