http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/smiths-eels-career-hangs-by-a-thread/2007/12/13/1197135646310.html
Smith's Eels career hangs by a thread
Greg Prichard and Andrew Webster | December 14, 2007
Tim Smith is in grave danger of being sacked by the Eels today after he was reported drunk on the street by a member of the public yesterday morning and had to be tracked down and taken home from the car park of a hotel by a club representative.
The star halfback's latest alcohol-related indiscretion came less than a week after the club banned him from drinking alcohol until the end of next season and fined him $1000 after he was accused of drunkenly abusing a 55-year-old man in the street.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald was calm when he spoke to the Herald last night, but is understood to be fuming at Smith. Asked if this was the end for the 22-year-old, Fitzgerald replied: "We will see tomorrow."
Teammates Mark Riddell and Brett Finch last night urged the club not to sack Smith. Riddell said the Eels should stick by him and "help him get back on track".
Parramatta football manager Andrew Hill summoned Smith and his manager, David Riolo, to attend a meeting with Fitzgerald, Eels coach Michael Hagan and Hill. Smith has a history of problems with alcohol and was already attending counselling sessions on the advice of the club.
The Parramatta players attended a Christmas party for more than 70 children and their families at Ronald McDonald House, Westmead, on Wednesday afternoon. The Herald understands that after the function ended, some players, including Smith, went out together.
Smith apparently kept going through the night and was seen, the worse for wear, on the footpath of a North Parramatta street at peak hour by a person who rang the club.
Officials then rang other players in an attempt to establish Smith's whereabouts and were advised to try the Tollgate Hotel, also at North Parramatta. One of those officials drove to the hotel, which was not yet open, found Smith and drove him home.
Asked to confirm the sightings of an alcohol-affected Smith, Fitzgerald replied: "I can confirm that we have received reports to that effect."
Smith was believed to be with two other young Parramatta players who are yet to become regular first-graders. Fitzgerald would not confirm or deny that, but said Smith was the only player who had been called to appear before officials at this stage. "We'll look at Tim first and move on from there," Fitzgerald said.
Parramatta players rallied around Smith, claiming he did not have a drinking problem and fearing another club would pick him up if he were sacked.
"I'm not fully aware of what has happened, but the last thing we would want to see is Tim's contract torn up," five-eighth Finch said. "He's popular with all the players and he's an important part of the team.
"I don't think he has a drinking problem. I've had a beer with him plenty of times and there's never been any issue at all."
Hooker Riddell added: "I'll be doing everything in my power to make sure he isn't sacked. Yeah, he might have some issues with the drink, but sacking him would only be a quick fix. I'd be worried that another club would pick him up at half price and that will come back to bite Parra on the backside.
"He's a great guy. He just needs to know his limitations."
Finch was bemused that a member of the public had complained to the club after sighting Smith in the street.
"If someone has called the club and dobbed him in, it's disgusting," Finch said. "People should have a long, hard look at their own issues. What's he done wrong?"
Riddell added: "It's getting a bit silly when a 22-year-old bloke can't have a beer. We've all had our misdemeanours - I've certainly had my own - but he hasn't hurt anyone and he hasn't broken the law."
Eels second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh said the club could ill-afford to lose a player like the former rookie of the year.
"He's a good player and liked by everyone at the club," Hindmarsh said. "We can't afford to lose him."
Fitzgerald said he was "disappointed" at the latest development involving Smith, but wanted to give the player the chance to defend himself before commenting any further.
"We're giving Tim the chance to speak tomorrow," he said.
It is understood the alcohol ban on Smith has not been written into his contract, which might be seen a potential complication in any move to sack him. But, when asked to confirm that all options - including tearing up Smith's contract - were there to be considered by the club, Fitzgerald replied: "That's correct."
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