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By Danny Weidler
September 14, 2003
The Sun-Herald
A technicality and compassion have saved controversial South Sydney recruit Terry Hill from being sacked by his new club after he was charged with drink-driving before he got a chance to slip on a red-and-green jumper.
Hill, who is having marital difficulties, and was heading home early on Sunday to see his three children on Father's Day when he drove his car through a fence.
Police breath-tested him and charged him with low-range drink-driving.
He had been out the night before and caught taxis to and from the restaurant at which he had dinner.
According to those close to Hill, he missed his kids and wanted to see them on Father's Day.
He had had a late night and woke early, leaving his Balmain residence to drive to Seaforth to visit his kids.
He told friends, "I had a shocker. I just had a brain explosion", when explaining his decision to drive.
All Souths players are made aware that the club has zero tolerance on driving misdemeanours, particularly drink-driving, because the club has a deal with Arrive Alive.
Arrive Alive is the Rabbits' sleeve sponsor and tips in $500,000 a year.
Part of the deal included the use of Souths players to talk about the importance of safe driving.
Clauses were inserted in players' contracts that outline hefty fines and possible sackings for misdemeanours.
A spokesman for the Motor Accident Authority said the body viewed the Hill matter as serious.
Sources at the authority told The Sun-Herald they would have taken the matter further if Hill had started training or playing with Souths.
Hill has just signed a $250,000 contract, but it does not come into force until November 1.
"Terry is still under contract to the Wests Tigers so that is a factor in this case, but it does not mean we are taking the matter any less seriously," Souths chairman Nicholas Pappas said.
"We do tell players when they join the club that if they are caught drink-driving they are sacked from the place.
"That is the general rule and we can apply that with discretion.
"In this case, there are some circumstances involved and I think we should be taking that into account.
"Still, we do consider this matter to be a serious one and we will be dealing with it."
Hill is yet to have the briefing that all Souths players receive when they join the club about the rules of their commitment to the Arrive Alive program.
Hill's manager, Wayne Beavis, is aware that Souths want to take action.
September 14, 2003
The Sun-Herald
A technicality and compassion have saved controversial South Sydney recruit Terry Hill from being sacked by his new club after he was charged with drink-driving before he got a chance to slip on a red-and-green jumper.
Hill, who is having marital difficulties, and was heading home early on Sunday to see his three children on Father's Day when he drove his car through a fence.
Police breath-tested him and charged him with low-range drink-driving.
He had been out the night before and caught taxis to and from the restaurant at which he had dinner.
According to those close to Hill, he missed his kids and wanted to see them on Father's Day.
He had had a late night and woke early, leaving his Balmain residence to drive to Seaforth to visit his kids.
He told friends, "I had a shocker. I just had a brain explosion", when explaining his decision to drive.
All Souths players are made aware that the club has zero tolerance on driving misdemeanours, particularly drink-driving, because the club has a deal with Arrive Alive.
Arrive Alive is the Rabbits' sleeve sponsor and tips in $500,000 a year.
Part of the deal included the use of Souths players to talk about the importance of safe driving.
Clauses were inserted in players' contracts that outline hefty fines and possible sackings for misdemeanours.
A spokesman for the Motor Accident Authority said the body viewed the Hill matter as serious.
Sources at the authority told The Sun-Herald they would have taken the matter further if Hill had started training or playing with Souths.
Hill has just signed a $250,000 contract, but it does not come into force until November 1.
"Terry is still under contract to the Wests Tigers so that is a factor in this case, but it does not mean we are taking the matter any less seriously," Souths chairman Nicholas Pappas said.
"We do tell players when they join the club that if they are caught drink-driving they are sacked from the place.
"That is the general rule and we can apply that with discretion.
"In this case, there are some circumstances involved and I think we should be taking that into account.
"Still, we do consider this matter to be a serious one and we will be dealing with it."
Hill is yet to have the briefing that all Souths players receive when they join the club about the rules of their commitment to the Arrive Alive program.
Hill's manager, Wayne Beavis, is aware that Souths want to take action.
