http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20084364-5001023,00.html
Find another club
By Mick Daly and James Hooper
August 11, 2006 12:00
SACKED and shattered, Brisbane forward Neville Costigan last night recalled the moment when coach Wayne Bennett summoned him into his Red Hill office before terminating his playing contract.
In a day of heavy discipline at Broncos headquarters, Costigan and halfback Brett Seymour were axed for being "serial off-field offenders" as Brisbane management put their entire playing roster on notice about misbehaviour.
The hardline approach comes after Costigan was charged with drink driving last Monday and Seymour was the subject of a police investigation into an alleged assault last week.
A devastated Costigan told
The Daily Telegraph he consumed "eight to 12 beers" with teammates before heading home on the evening in question then deciding to drive to the local service station around three hours later.
"I never thought I'd get punted," Costigan said.
"Wayne called me into the room, told me to sit down and said too much stuff had been happening.
"He said I had to find a new club, and to pack my bags and go home. He didn't say anything more.
"A couple of months ago he was giving me wraps for being behaved and not drinking when I was out injured.
"He only spoke to me for about a minute and then he told me to go."
An emotional Costigan described his actions as a "massive mistake", declaring he would regret the incident for the rest of his life.
"If I could take back what happened I would. I just keep thinking how good I had it," Costigan said.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen indicated Costigan and Seymour had breached the club's "three strikes and you're out" policy.
Cullen reiterated the Queensland club's tough approach on player misbehaviour particularly in relation to off- field, alcohol-fuelled incidents and stressed the sackings were a warning to the rest of the Broncos.
The sackings come eight months after Broncos coach Wayne Bennett went public about his quest to alter the drinking culture at the Broncos and in the wider rugby league community.
"We needed to actually make a stance but we're not victimising these players because they've both got a history, they're becoming if you like, serial offenders," Cullen said.
"They haven't shown any indications that they're getting the message at all.
"This is not a knee-jerk reaction to Neville's indiscretion on Monday night, we've just sat back and had a look at what these two have been up to all this time.
"There's an old saying three strikes and you're out, well there's been a few more than that.
"We needed to make a statement and send a message to everybody associated with the club that these sorts of things just aren't tolerated any more."
Costigan intends to head home to the Queensland town of Seaforth, north of Mackay, today before meeting Canberra officials to open talks next week.
"I've shed a few tears. But that won't help. I've just got to move on. There's no point crying over spilt milk," Costigan said.
"I was just going to get a few pies and a Powerade or something. I held out on telling the club because I was scared."
Named in the back-row of the Broncos starting side to face Melbourne on Sunday, Costigan is expected to be replaced by Corey Parker with Ben Hannant or Dane Carlaw called into the squad.
