Tim Smith facing the sack

Skyhunter · Tim Smith facing the sack

By Dean Ritchie December 06, 2007 12:00am

PARRAMATTA'S troubled halfback Tim Smith faces the sack tomorrow for another off-field drama involving booze.

A repeat offender, Smith has been accused of intimidating, swearing and making obscene finger gestures at a 55-year-old man last Sunday.

Smith was yesterday asked to explain his behaviour to Eels coach Michael Hagan and football manager Andrew Hill.

Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said: "Alcohol and Tim Smith don't go together."

Just last year, Parramatta threatened to terminate Smith's contract after a series of drunken incidents.

The Smith drama comes only a day after Bulldogs player Reni Maitua was heavily disciplined for missing a training session through drinking.

Charles Brincat said he was hassled by Smith when with his son-in-law and granddaughter on the corner of Ross St and Brickfield St, North Parramatta, last weekend.

Brincat said Smith was "heavily intoxicated". He was not wearing a shirt and was so drunk his pants kept falling down. He was wearing underpants. He said Smith abused him and could barely stand up because of alcohol.

In an email Brincat sent to Parramatta - which the club claim they never received - he wrote: "He (Smith) also approached my son-in-law who was in the drivers seat in his car with his little daughter in the back seat and started harassing my son-in-law. I was very scared at the time."

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph yesterday, Brincat said Smith's behaviour was "terrible".

"We were shocked and numb. He had been drinking . . . he could barely stand on his two feet," Brincat said.

"He was showing rude finger signs and saying 'f' this and 'f' that. It was terrible. I wanted to get in my car as quick as possible."

Brincat said he just wanted Smith to apologise and save what is a tumbling career.

"I don't want to put this bloke in the electric chair - I want him to carry on with his career," he said.

"But an apology would be nice. He is still young enough to curb his behaviour. I hear this isn't the first time this has happened.

"It was Sunday at 5pm . . . he must have partying all night.

"Imagine how many other people he disturbed before us? I want him to be an idol for the kids."

A fed-up Fitzgerald will return from the NRL's CEOs conference in the Hunter Valley tomorrow and seek an explanation from Smith.

"We have hauled him in (today) to speak to the coach and football manager. We are trying to find out as much information as we can," Fitzgerald said.

"I will not be back until Friday and when we have all the facts will decide whether we should take any action. It is disappointing. He has had a couple of incidents in regards to alcohol."

Hagan confirmed he met with Smith yesterday.

"We will report back to Denis and he will make a decision of any alleged misconduct," Hagan said.

NRL chief executive David Gallop will monitor the Smith situation.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22878682-5001023,00.html

Skyhunter

Theres a few things that don't add up here.

1. Why did it take so long to report the incident if it happened on Sunday?

2. And Just how many people were involved ive read two different stories one states. There were three or more intoxicated men involved, and at least two of the men were first grade players at the Parramatta club. The other says it was just Tim Smith it doesn't add up ?

3. Charles the abused did he contact the Police ? i haven't read or heard anything that may suggest he did contact them. ?

4. Charles said "i could see an altercation. I looked but i couldn't see through a fence". ?

Yes Smith has been in trouble in the past but it's up to the Parramatta club to how they will deal with it. I dont think a sacking is warranted myself, but Parramatta will be forced to apply some form of punishment on him if hes guilty ?

parragirl

BUSTED: Another day, another NRL drinking scandal

5/12/2007 1:35:00 PM.

The NRL may have yet another embarrassing case to answer for with fresh reports emerging of drunken players causing a public nuisance.

Less than 24 hours after the Bulldogs demoted rogue back-rower Reni Maitua for his drunken antics, the Parramatta Eels could be forced to take action against two or more of their NRL players who reportedly harassed a family after a mammoth drinking session.

The incident was first reported on Ray Hadley's 2GB radio program, when the alleged victim phoned in to reveal the trauma he and his family suffered.

The caller, identified only as Charles, told Hadley that he and his family were approached by three or more intoxicated men at 5pm on Sunday afternoon while they sat in their car.

Charles said that at least two of the men were first grade players at the Parramatta club.

Charles described the events to Hadley: "I could see an altercation. I looked but I couldn't see through a fence."

"But as the guys appeared - two of them with no shirts on, one of them had a T-Shirt on - I heard a lot of foul language and rude finger gestures.

"It appeared they were still partying from the night before.

"One guy who was pretty much intoxicated started harassing him (Charles' son-in-law).”

Charles’ two-year-old grand-daughter was in the back seat of the car.

No players have been identified and Parramatta officials are yet to make any comment on the incident.

http://www.livenews.com.au/Articl..._day_another_NRL_drinking_scandal

parragirl

Eels halfback Tim Smith will be spared the sack after his latest alcohol related drama.

Booze ban, fine for Smith

By Dean Ritchie
December 07, 2007 11:58am

PARRAMATTA halfback Tim Smith has been slapped with a $1000 fine and a booze ban following his latest alcohol fuelled incident.

The 22-year-old met with Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, coach Michael Hagan and football manager Andrew Hill today after he was accused of harassing a Sydney grandfather while drunk on Sunday.

"We had a very positive meeting with Tim this morning and he was very sorry that his drunkenness and actions let down the club and its fans,'' Fitzgerald said in a statement.

"He telephoned the complainant to apologise for any of his actions or words that may have offended the man and his family.''

The club has banned Smith from drinking alcohol until the end of the 2008 season and will donate his fine to charity.

"Tim admitted he has a problem with alcohol and will continue to have counselling sessions with a leading specialist in alcohol related behaviour,'' Hagan said in the statement.

The Eels threatened to terminate Smith's contract last year after a series of alcohol-related incidents. Meanwhile, the Eels have moved to douse the controversy stirred up by the renaming of the Ray Price Lounge at Parramatta Stadium.

Legendary former lock Price hit out at the decision to rename the lounge the Cumberland Lounge. "The decision to change the name of the Ray Price Lounge was made by the NSW Government-appointed Parramatta Stadium Trust,'' a statement from the Eels read.

"The Parramatta Eels football office was advised of the change following this decision. Whilst Denis Fitzgerald is a trustee of the Parramatta Stadium Trust he was not present at the meeting when the decision was made to change the name.

"The Stadium has advised that the Ray Price Lounge is being re-named the Cumberland Lounge and the once named Cumberland Suite (a corporate facility) is being re-named the Ray Price Suite which Ray was personally notified of last week in writing by the Parramatta Stadium Trust.''

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22883354-5006066,00.html

parragirl

Sobering times ... Tim Smith leaves Parramatta Stadium yesterday after being banned by the Eels from drinking alcohol until the end of 2008. Picture: Brett Faulkner.

Kenny blames Eels over Smith

By James Phelps
December 08, 2007 12:00am

TROUBLED Eels star Tim Smith was yesterday banned from drinking until the end of 2008 as punishment for his latest alcohol-fuelled disgrace - but Brett Kenny says it is too late.

The Parramatta legend last night hit out at his former club, declaring the Eels were partly to blame for Smith's disturbing behaviour.

Kenny, a premiership winning five-eighth, said the Eels have let the talented game-breaker get away with too much for too long.

"What is this? His third of fourth indiscretion?," Kenny said.

"They needed to have a good talk to him, but they have left it too late.

"The club have been at fault from the word go.

"He has been in strife with grog before and I think if they came down harder on him in the past then it wouldn't have happened as much."

The halfback was hauled before Eels management yesterday and forced to agree to a 12-month alcohol ban after allegedly intimidating, swearing and making obscene finger gestures at 55-year-old Charles Brincat.

Brincat complained to the club after a "heavily intoxicated" Smith abused him last Sunday. He said Smith could barely stand up.

Just last year, Parramatta threatened to terminate Smith's contract after a series of drunken incidents.

Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald yesterday said Smith had telephoned the Sydney grandfather and apologised for his actions.

"We had a very positive meeting with Tim this morning and he was very sorry that his drunkenness and actions let down the club and its fans," Fitzgerald said.

"He telephoned the complainant to apologise for any of his actions or words that may have offended the man and his family."

Smith confessed to having a problem with alcohol and has agreed to undergo counselling.

He was also fined $1000.

"Tim admitted he has a problem with alcohol and will continue to have counselling sessions with a leading specialist in alcohol related behaviour," coach Michael Hagan said.

Kenny warned Smith not to throw his career away. "He is earning good money," Kenny said. "Certainly more than any other kid his age. He has to realise that he has an opportunity to set himself up in the future.

"He has to concentrate on his football. I have seen a lot of guys that have gone to the wayside."

Kenny also accused the Eels of putting too much pressure on Smith in the past.

"You think about what has happened to him and the club is to blame for a lot of it," Kenny said.

"They have put a lot of pressure on him with the comparisons to Peter Sterling and they should have done more to dismiss them.

"Maybe he read it and started to believe it. But he just has to knuckle down and play some good football.

"He has to learn from this."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22887158-5006066,00.html

parragirl

More trouble ... Smith could be KO'd by the Eels. Pic: Sam Ruttyn

Parramatta's Smith facing sack

By Todd Balym
December 14, 2007

PARRAMATTA halfback Tim Smith will plead for his NRL future after the Eels star was busted drinking less than a week after agreeing to abstain from alcohol.

Smith has been ordered to a meeting with Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald on Friday after the club received reports the 22-year-old had been drinking in Sydney's west.

Last Friday Smith was fined $1000 and issued a 12-month alcohol ban by the club for allegedly intimidating, swearing and making obscene finger gestures at a member of the public while intoxicated.

It was not the first time Smith had been punished by the club for an alcohol indiscretion.

Last season he was threatened with the sack and fined $10,000 for intoxicated behaviour, so the weak punishment meted out last week by Eels management drew criticism from former players who fear the youngster is out of control.

Fitzgerald is unlikely to be lenient and there is a strong possibility the Queenslander could have his NRL contract torn up.

“We will be having a meeting with Tim some time (Friday) to hear what he has got to say and we will put out a statement after that no doubt,” said Fitzgerald.

“We are not saying anything more than that we had reports that he had been drinking so we need to have him in front of us to conduct a meeting to give him the opportunity to say what the circumstances were and go from there.”

Fitzgerald would not confirm reports that a club official had to pick up an intoxicated Smith from the Tollgate Hotel in Sydney's west early in the morning.

However, a hotel employee said the star player had not been on the premises.

“Tim Smith was never here,” he said.

Eels coach Michael Hagan said Smith knew he had a drinking problem and would undergo counselling as part of his punishment for harassing a Sydney grandfather.

“Tim admitted he has a problem with alcohol and will continue to have counselling sessions with a leading specialist in alcohol-related behaviour,” Hagan said in last week's statement.

If Smith is sacked by the Eels it could have a drastic effect on premiership betting as Parramatta are equal second favourites at $9 with TAB Sportsbet.

Off-season shoulder surgery meant Hagan had already planned to start 2008 without Smith, with Brett Finch to move to halfback and backrower Feleti Mateo to shift to five-eighth.

Those plans may become more permanent if Smith is given his marching orders.

But it is unlikely the former NRL rookie of the year would remain a free agent too long, as several clubs require the services of a quality halfback.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22919420-23214,00.html

parragirl

TIM SMITH SUSPENDED

14 December 2007

The Parramatta Eels Club has decided to suspend Tim Smith indefinitely from training and playing with the Club.

A meeting was held this morning with Chief Executive Denis Fitzgerald, Head Coach Michael Hagan and Football Manager Andrew Hill in attendance together with Tim Smith's managers, David Riolo and Isaac Moses.

Tim Smith was not in attendance, as early this morning he boarded an interstate flight and voluntarily checked himself into a live-in rehabilitation centre, where he will receive 24 hour care and medical advice.

Denis Fitzgerald said, "The Parramatta Club gave strong consideration to terminating Tim's Playing Contract, but after receiving advice from Dave Riolo and Michael Hagan who both supported Tim's actions in going to the rehabilitation centre, we have decided to suspend Tim indefinitely and hope that the rehabilitation centre will be able to resolve some of Tim's behavioural issues."

Michael Hagan said, "Tim has acted positively in checking into the rehabilitation centre and at 22 years of age, he deserves another chance to overcome his problems, with the assistance of 24 hour a day specialist treatment."

It is unknown how long Tim will be in the rehabilitation centre, but his manager, Dave Riolo said, "Tim has had great support from his mother and family and from the Club and he has admitted he has a problem and has taken the very pro-active step of seeking 24 hour care. The treatment will be very confronting for Tim, but with the help of the medical professionals and the support of his family, friends, coaches, managers and team mates, I am confident Tim will improve rapidly and be back playing in the NRL in 2008".

The Club has made no decision in regard to fines and sanctions at this stage, with Tim's long term health and stability being the immediate priority.

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/news1675.asp

parragirl

Concerned ... Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald fronts the press with coach Michael Hagan (left) and Tim Smith's manager David Riolo (right) yesterday. Photograph: Mark Evans

Inside Smith's big night out

By Nick Walshaw
December 15, 2007 12:00am

TROUBLED halfback Tim Smith could be in further strife for his latest boozy night - with accusations the suspended star was part of a group that damaged Easts Leagues Club.

The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal Smith and fellow Eel Jarryd Hayne were both drinking at the Bondi venue when a $2500 plasma screen was broken.

Smith has denied damaging the plasma roulette gaming machine.

The claim, which was being investigated by the Eels late last night, forms part of a drunken night that has led to Smith being suspended and sent interstate for rehabilitation.

Yet despite being a serial offender, the 22-year-old has been saved from the sack because he has revealed he is suffering from mental illness - believed to be depression.

Eels boss Denis Fitzgerald, who already had the termination papers drawn up, was swayed after a frank 11th-hour conversation with coach Michael Hagan and a club medical staffer.

"Tim's not in a good place in terms of his head space and personal life," manager David Riolo said yesterday.

"He does have some problems with alcohol and other complex issues."

The Smith confession comes just months after his childhood idol and current mentor Johns revealed all in his autobiography The Two Of Me.

Coach Hagan, who was a rock of support during Joey's ongoing battle with bipolar disorder, politely declined to be drawn on the issue other than to say the young star had some "demons" to overcome.

Once voted league's hottest young talent, Smith will now celebrate Christmas inside an interstate rehabilitation centre as he tackles his issues fulltime.

The problematic playmaker, who was put on a booze ban just last week, was spotted at both Easts Leagues and The Eastern Hotel on Wednesday before heading back west.

Reports also had recently re-signed Jarryd Hayne and boom Tongan international Feleti Mateo out and about with their troubled teammate.

Smith eventually wound up outside the Tollgate Hotel about 9am on Thursday - where he was collected by a club official after a series of telephone calls from the public.

"He was in Church St, Parramatta, during peak hour - about 8am - with all the bells and whistles," Fitzgerald said. "There was little wonder we heard about it."

Fitzgerald, Hagan, Riolo and Eels football manager Andrew Hill arrived at Parramatta Leagues Club about 9am yesterday.

Two hours later they emerged to reveal that Smith was already heading interstate for help but said no decisions had been reached on fines, suspension durations or, indeed, if Smith would ever play for the club again.

"The Parramatta club has decided to suspend Tim indefinitely," Fitzgerald said.

"We have not terminated his contract at this stage but that does not mean it isn't a possibility down the track.

"But right now our only concern is Tim's well-being."

Meanwhile, Coombabah High School mentor Rod Prior said it would be a tragedy if his former student was lost from the game.

"Tim's obviously doing it tough for whatever reason," Prior said. "He has some issues he needs to confront, particularly in regards to alcohol but I think it's great his club has stood by him.

"It would be terrible to think he could be lost to the game."

Smith's Big Wednesday is the latest in a series of indiscretions for the young Queenslander that include:

DECEMBER 2007: Getting so drunk he cannot keep his pants up while intimidating and swearing at a grandfather and young girl;

JUNE 2006: Being fined $1000 and having booze ban imposed after a drunken scuffle with Australian cricketer Michael Clarke in Cronulla;

MAY 2006: Dumped from first grade and fined $5000 after arriving intoxicated at training with Mark Riddell; and

DECEMBER 2005: Accused, but later cleared, of assault allegations after a big night in The Rocks.

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22926455-5006066,00.html

parragirl

Prior ... says it would be a tragedy if Smith was lost to football. Getty

Don't let Smith get lost

By Karl deKroo, Laine Clark and Nick Walshaw
December 15, 2007

TIM Smith's former schoolboy coach and mentor says it would be a tragedy if the wayward halfback was lost to the game and has commended Parramatta for standing by the troubled star.

Rod Prior coached Smith for four years at Gold Coast's Coombabah High School before the young Queenslander was recruited to the Eels.

He said he had been dismayed as he watched the talented playmaker seemingly lurch from one drunken disaster to the next.

"I haven't spoken to him for a while but I know he is a good kid," Prior said.

"He is obviously doing it tough for whatever reason.

"He has some issues he needs to confront, particularly in regard to alcohol, but I think it is great that his club has stood by him.

"It would be terrible to think he could be lost to the game. He is a young man in need of guidance in his life.

"His family and club will offer him support but ultimately it will be up to him to get his life back on track.

"There is a lot of pressure on these kids when they leave home and go into that high-pressure atmosphere.

"But Tim has been down in Sydney for a while now. He has been through some ups and downs and maybe he felt he had reached the stage where he had made it and took some liberties."

The Eels refused to sack Smith, although he broke a booze ban less than a week after admitting he abused a Sydney grandfather following a heavy drinking session.

Instead, the club suspended him indefinitely and booked him into an unspecified rehab clinic.

Eels boss Denis Fitzgerald, who already had the termination papers drawn up, was swayed after a conversation with coach Michael Hagan and a club medical staffer.

"Tim's not in a good place in terms of his head space and personal life," manager David Riolo said.

"He does have some problems with alcohol and other complex issues."

Last Friday, Smith was fined $1000 by the Eels and ordered to avoid alcohol for a year, but five days later he was drinking again.

"The Parramatta club gave strong consideration to terminating Tim's playing contract but we have decided to suspend him indefinitely and hope the rehabilitation centre will be able to resolve some of Tim's behavioural issues," Fitzgerald said.

The Eels have not decided whether to fine or further sanction Smith, saying his health was their main priority.

"Tim has acted positively in checking into the rehabilitation centre and, at 22 years of age, he deserves another chance to overcome his problems with the assistance of specialist treatment," Hagan said.

Teammates also rallied around Smith Friday, hooker Mark Riddell claiming Smith's problems would have "spiralled" had he been sacked.

"You can't fix it overnight," Riddell said. "We've got to give him support."

Smith could face further strife, with accusations he was among a group that damaged Easts Leagues Club on Wednesday.

He and fellow Eel Jarryd Hayne were drinking at the Bondi venue when a $2500 plasma screen was broken.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22926288-23214,00.html