Friends aid Smith's recovery

parragirl · Friends aid Smith's recovery

Fighting back ... troubled Parramatta halfback Tim Smith is being aided by stars like Chris Walker and Andrew Johns as he works to save his career.

By James Hooper
December 23, 2007 12:00am

THE secret training sessions have been the easy part for Parramatta star Tim Smith, who is fighting to save his career after checking into a Gold Coast rehabilitation clinic.

Group therapy is the tough assignment, where Smith hears and sees the ugly side of alcoholism, the damage it can do, the lives it has wrecked.

Ten days ago, Smith's mother Melissa phoned Chris Walker, the NRL star who spent 14 days in rehabilitation last July, and asked for his help.

Despite having never met Smith, Walker was happy to oblige, agreeing to meet him at the hospital-style clinic in the Gold Coast suburbs, show him around and support him.

Facing some personal demons, Smith has spent the past seven days in the medical centre which, in Walker's words, "is far from the Betty Ford clinic''.

"It's not like a nice day spa with saunas and a gym and massages or anything like that; it's real and it's confronting,'' Walker said.

"It's pretty daunting when you first have to go and check into the place, but once you start to confront your problems you feel a lot better.

"The important thing was he looked to me like he was ready for the challenge.

"I credit him for walking in with an open mind and embracing the program.''

The daily ritual Smith has endured since entering rehabilitation following two alcohol-related incidents has been challenging. The doctors, the meetings, the stories. Since Parramatta suspended him indefinitely 10 days ago, the outpouring of support for Smith from within the NRL community has overwhelmed him.

Team-mate Mark Riddell has been in constant contact, travelling to the Gold Coast for a visit last Friday.

Andrew Johns has also been in touch on a regular basis, able to offer an experienced insight into the serious issue of bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression.

Johns' mother Gayle contacted Melissa Smith earlier in the week, lending an ear and an understanding word, making sure she was coping.

The prospect of waking in the clinic on Christmas Day is a chilling reality, but the 2005 Dally M Rookie of the Year remains determined to emerge a better person.

Intent on rebuilding his playing career with Parramatta, Smith has been given permission to be released from rehabilitation to hold daily training sessions with former Eel Troy Pezet.

Pezet, the Eels' SG Ball coach, met Smith when he was coaching at Runaway Bay seven seasons ago, when the Parramatta No7 was a star junior. Yesterday and Friday were the first two sessions.

"He's been in good spirits, he's looking for the positives,'' Pezet said.

Another positive was a visit last Friday from Parramatta coach Michael Hagan, who was on the Gold Coast for a family holiday over Christmas.

"He's doing quite well now. Initially, as you would expect, he wasn't coping that well, but he's getting a lot better,'' Hagan said.

"At this stage we just want to make sure he gets the necessary help to deal with the problems that he's got and then we'll go from there.''

Smith will complete the 14-day rehabilitation next Friday, when he will look to begin rebuilding his promising playing career.

One of the most naturally talented players in the NRL, he must also overcome an off-season shoulder reconstruction that will see him sidelined until at least round four.

In the big picture, recovering from the operation is probably the easiest part of Smith's next chapter in life.

In the words of Walker: "I just told him you don't have to look at it as a bad thing. You can come out of it a better person with a better perspective on life.''

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg...006066,00.html?id=#story-comments

parragirl

It's good to hear Tim Smith is getting the support he needs. Im sure it wouldn't have been easy for him to check into the rehabilitation clinic and face his alcohol problem and whatever other problems he maybe dealing with. I just hope with all the support he is getting he will be able get his life and football career back on track and be able to continue to play for the Parramatta Eels.

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Smith hopes to put rehab behind him and return

Glenn Jackson | January 4, 2008

TROUBLED Eel Tim Smith hopes to return to training with Parramatta next week, with his treatment at a rehabilitation clinic expected to officially end today.

Smith, who was suspended by the club indefinitely after two alcohol-fuelled incidents late last year, is staying with his family on the Gold Coast, but is today due to have a final assessment at the clinic, where he has been stationed for several weeks.

His manager is set to meet club officials on Tuesday, after which it is expected he will be further sanctioned for his ill-discipline. After seeking further medical advice, it is then expected officials will meet Smith to decide whether he is ready to return.

Smith, who checked himself into the clinic on the Gold Coast in December, is expected to be fined by the club but is understood to have escaped the axe.

"We'll be sitting down next week with [manager] Dave Riolo," Parramatta football manager Andrew Hill said. "He's [Smith] been up in rehab, but that's coming to another stage now.

"We all need to sit down, get a full report, and go through whatever the proposed sanctions are."

The club will receive advice from several independent medical experts before summoning the 22-year-old halfback, who has also suffered depression, to a meeting.

"We've had a bit of a chat about that and we'll work through a few things with David and Tim and go from there," Eels coach Michael Hagan said. "When Tim comes back, we'll work out what sort of program he can start with."

The Eels resume pre-season training on Monday following the Christmas and New Year break, but Smith will not re-join his teammates until the issues surrounding his suspension are resolved. Still, Riolo said yesterday he hoped the playmaker would be welcomed back later next week.

"We'll try to meet [the club] early next week and hopefully he'll be back at training after that," Riolo said.

Riolo has been in constant contact with his client and is confident he will be mentally prepared to return to full-time training.

"He's really good, compared to where he was," Riolo said. "I've spoken to him twice a day every day since it happened, and I'm very positive that he'll be OK."

Smith's rehabilitation at the Gold Coast clinic, which also housed Titans player Chris Walker for a stint last year, has involved daily therapy sessions. Walker has also been supportive of Smith's own battle, helping him to book into the clinic.

"I sent him a message over New Year's," Walker said. "That's about it. I spoke to him on Christmas Day and he was with his family. It's not my business to do any more. He asked me for help and that's about it. He's a good fella, and I'm sure he'll go good."

Hagan also visited Smith at the clinic during a family vacation on the Gold Coast.

"I've had contact with him a fair bit over the last couple of weeks," he said. "I think he's going OK. He's having a formal assessment with the guy who's been looking after him. There's still a fair bit to sort out, but he's making a genuine effort to get his life in order, and I'm happy to try to help him do that."

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/n...urn/2008/01/03/1198949986841.html

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Tim Smith
8 January 2008
Parramatta Eels, General Manager Greg Mitchell, Head Coach Michael Hagan and Football Manager Andrew Hill met today with Tim Smith's manager David Riolo to discuss Tim's playing future with the Club.

Tim Smith's suspension has been lifted.

However a number of sanctions have been imposed which have been agreed by both the Club, the Player Manager and Tim Smith.

Some of these sanctions include:-
� Monetary Fine
� Ongoing rehabilitation and assessment
� Various Charity and Community work

Player Manager David Riolo said, "Tim has been working hard to overcome a number of personal issues and is very grateful of the support from the Parramatta Eels and general support from the Community. Tim is looking forward to returning to training and the season ahead".

Chief Executive Denis Fitzgerald AM said, "I am satisfied with the process that the Club and Tim has taken and we are placing a support mechanism around Tim".

Michael Hagan said "I am looking forward to Tim returning to training and along with the team stepping up preparations for the 2008 Season".

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/news1677.shtml

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Andrew Johns helps troubled Smith on road to recovery

Fighting back ... troubled Eels halfback Tim Smith has been reinstated at Parramatta after completing rehabilitation for alcohol problems. Photograph: Sam Ruttyn

By Josh Massoud
January 09, 2008 12:00am

TIM Smith has been urged to stay in close contact with new mentor and league legend Andrew Johns as the troubled half embarks on his final chance at Parramatta.

The Eels yesterday issued Smith with his last lifeline - as well as a fine believed to be $10,000 - as punishment for two drunken incidents last month.

Called before a meeting with team management at Parramatta Stadium, Smith was ordered to undergo regular counselling for his alcohol and mental health problems.

Adhering to a program of community and charity work is another condition of his reinstatement, but Smith has not been prevented from drinking in his free time.

Given Smith has used up his last warning, Parramatta officials are confident the 22-year-old will voluntarily curb his off-field behaviour.

Eels coach Michael Hagan last night said a booze ban was "not discussed" at yesterday's meeting, which also included general manager Greg Mitchell, football manager Andrew Hill and Smith's agent David Riolo.

"I think you could safely say there's not too many chances left," Hagan said. "He came in after the meeting and we told him what was required for him to continue at the club.

"He's been getting professional help in certain areas for some time and we've put some steps in place for him to keep moving forward."

It was revealed Smith had been suffering depression just days after he was suspended on December 14.

The condition also plagued Johns for his entire career and the pair have grown closer since the retired superstar began consulting with Parramatta's halves in November.

Hagan, who became intimately acquainted with Johns' mental demons during his six-year stint as Newcastle coach, is hopeful Smith's recovery will be aided by the playmaker's childhood hero.

"They've already had some dialogue on and off the field," Hagan said. "They had been talking informally - the relationship has already been formed.

"That is part of putting things in place to help Tim make it back."

Smith's return is effective immediately, but he is likely to be absent from full-scale training for some time because of an off-season shoulder reconstruction.

Parramatta physios checked the injury before the suspension was lifted, but Smith had already resumed training.

The exiled Queenslander was spotted running alone on the streets of Sydney's west this week, an effort that helped convince Hagan of Smith's genuine desire to return.

"I've spoken to Tim about what he wants to do, and there's no question that he wants to play footy," Hagan said.

"He's in good shape because of the extra work he's done. I'm confident he will make a good go of it."

The Eels have also reinstated Smith's profile to their website.

As revealed by The Daily Telegraph yesterday, Smith's bio and picture had been removed during his suspension. But both were back online shortly after his return last night.

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23025337-5006066,00.html