Scotty Briggs

[billy2]

<H1>Band of brothers on redemption path

BY JOSH LEESON
27 May, 2011 04:00 AM
REBORN Central Coast Centurions five-eighth Scott Briggs said the 14 months he spent behind bars on robbery and assault charges was the best thing that happened to him.
The 24-year-old emerged from jail in December a changed man and has reinvigorated his rugby league career through impressive form for the Centurions in the NSW Cup.
The Centurions have a bye this weekend and Briggs had hoped to play in the Newcastle Rugby League on Sunday for the Macquarie Scorpions against Central Newcastle at Peacock Field.
After Briggs trained with brother Randall, 19, in the Macquarie halves on Tuesday night, the Knights decided yesterday not to release him to play, because of a foot injury.
Briggs said the Centurions, and particularly coach Rip Taylor, had provided him with a path to redemption.
‘‘I was grateful they gave me another opportunity and I’ve really taken it on board to get on the good side of him and hopefully get myself another contract next year under [Wayne] Bennett,’’ Briggs said.
His talent appeared to be wasted in October 2007 when the then Central five-eighth was given a two-year suspended sentence for robbery.
In October 2009, he was sent to jail for a non-parole period of 14 months after pleading guilty to bashing a man in Newcastle in February of that year.
‘‘It really opened my eyes when I went away for that 14 months,’’ Briggs said.
‘‘I think I needed it. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, so if I didn’t, I’d probably be doing the same thing I’d always done.’’
Taylor said Briggs had returned as a better footballer and person.
‘‘He’s come back with a far better perspective on life,’’ he said. ‘‘His attitude to himself and his family is much better.
‘‘He’s been very good to be around at training. He keeps working on his game and is a tough, strong kid and has been very good for the team.’’
Sunday would have been a family derby for the five Briggs brothers, who have played together just once, in an Aboriginal knockout.
Jacob, 29, will play first grade off the bench for the Butcher Boys after recovering from a hamstring injury and Randall will be the No.7 for the Scorpions.
The youngest Briggs sibling, Isaac, 18, is playing reserves for Macquarie and the oldest brother, Robert, 30, has just signed for the Scorpions in opens.
Proud mother Carol Smith will be cheering her boys from the sidelines. ‘‘They all take after their mother,’’ she joked. ‘‘We’ll all be there on Sunday. Good to actually get everyone there together at one time.’’

</H1>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/lo...d-of-brothers-on-redemption-path/2176380.aspx

Good article on Scotty.
I have to say he is the biggest improver of the season.
He started the year as close to the worst player in the Centurions, and i'd have to say he has been just about the best in the last few games i've seen.
He is a very creative half who pulls out plays that surprize everyone.
He is our most creative half by a mile.
He has pulled off some massive hits in defence this year too - Filipo like hits - but overall his defence is still pretty suss.
If he keeps improving at the same rate he will be much better than Stig and ready for firstgrade by the end of the year.

 

[Yosh]

Looks like we have like a thousand good halves pouring outta our system recently. Wonder who will make it.

 

[Burwood]

Is he an elusive half in the mold of Preston Campbell? I can imagine he would have done quite a bit of work in prison trying to avoid gang "tackles" in the showers.

 

[Rolla]

Great to hear the guy is getting his life in order! Hopefully he keeps impressing... The more competition for places the better.

 

[billy2]

Is he an elusive half in the mold of Preston Campbell? I can imagine he would have done quite a bit of work in prison trying to avoid gang "tackles" in the showers.

He's got more of the Tommy Raudonikus vibe than the Preston Campbell vibe.

I remember when Easts had that great Flegg side in about 2005 they had a centre who was steamrolling players at will, and he ran over Briggs a few times, till Briggs got sent off for head high stiff arms every time he could get a shot on him.
Used to be 85kg of dynamite with a 2 inch fuse, but he seems to have settled down to just playing footy, although he still likes to line blokes up for a big hit.
In the game at Cessnock a month or so ago against the Vulcans we were getting smashed, and Scotty pulled off two massive hits on big forwards that rattled the ball loose, and left both Scotty and the big forwards flat on their backs.

edit - Albert Hopate was the guy Scotty had the running battle with - wonder what ever happened to him - was the biggest name junior in the game at the time.

 

[slotmachine]

I believe Albert left footy to go on his mission, much like his younger brother is planning to do.

 

[aqua_duck]

I believe Albert left footy to go on his mission, much like his younger brother is planning to do.

Will is his nephew. I played against Albert Hopoate in school footy and he was an absolute man child, two things derailed his career, firstly the mission he went on and secondly he no longer had a physical advantage as an adult

 

[bluesbreaker]

This would be the... 5th? 'Briggs is on the straight and narrow' article we've seen now?

Guy's a trackhead. f**k him. Don't want him near the Knights.

 

[Pika]

What is a 'trackhead'?

 

[bluesbreaker]

It's the censored version of C O ... Head.

Ridunculous, I know.

 

[The Joker]

He's had stints or trial periods with the Knights, Sharks, Raiders, Souths and now back at the Knights again. He's always had the talent but man he has a f*cking attitude problem. I seriously don't know how long his new found attitude will last but it won't last long.