http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/sport/2674196/Punting-on-Seymour
Punting on Seymour
SUNDAY NEWS 26/7/09
EXCLUSIVE: TROUBLED Australian league star Brett Seymour could be living in New Zealand within a month and will be expected to participate in an alcohol rehabilitation programme as he looks to rebuild his tattered NRL career with the Warriors.
Seymour, a talented playmaker, was cut by the Sharks a month ago after repeat offences involving alcohol. It has since emerged the Warriors are in discussions with him about moving to Auckland in a deal that NRL boss David Gallop would have to sign off on before it could be allowed to happen.
Gallop said his organisation will register Seymour for the 2010 season but only if the alcohol-troubled halfback's contract with the Warriors contains appropriate steps to keep him in line.
"We've had some preliminary discussions about Brett playing at the Warriors and we've indicated there would have to be certain conditions we'd want to see in the contract around behaviour and obviously alcohol," Gallop told Sunday News.
"In line with the recent outcome from the CEOs' conference, this would be an example of a club having to take some responsibility in the event he brings the game into disrepute again."
Gallop's warning puts the Warriors in the firing line if they can't control Seymour.
They can expect, if he gets into trouble, to cop a huge fine.
Recently, the NRL stung the Sydney Roosters with a $A50,000 penalty after a string of alcohol indiscretions including one involving coach Brad Fittler and another involving star player Nate Myles.
"Obviously players with previous track records of off-field misbehaviour are an issue for a recruiting club," Gallop said.
"We don't necessarily want to see players set adrift and out of football because football can often be the one good constant thing in their lives.
"He (Seymour) is certainly a player we expect would need some special attention from the club. I think he needs to be doing some sort of programme that acknowledges that he needs to manage alcohol better than he has in the past."
Gallop acknowledged the Warriors were taking a risk in signing Seymour and said any potential off-field issues would be "viewed dimly".
Naturally, the Warriors are aware of Seymour's problems but the club's exemplary track record off the field in recent seasons should give fans confidence the former Shark and Bronco can stay out of trouble on this side of the ditch.
"The NRL's position is that clubs need to be more conscious of decisions to recruit players with past records," said Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah.
"We totally acknowledge that and I guess it's a risk the club needs to be prepared to take."
Scurrah refused to comment on the negotiations but Sunday News has been told by an Australian-based source that a package has been presented to Seymour.
He has indicated his interest in joining the Warriors and once the deal, thought to be performance-based, is penned, it's expected he will move to Auckland within weeks to begin working with the club, although he would not play in 2009.
It is also believed the Warriors will adopt a zero tolerance policy with Seymour.
Warriors star Brent Tate, who played with Seymour for five seasons at the Broncos, believes his former team-mate will thrive if he decides to come to Auckland.
"I've always found Buster (Seymour) to be a really good kid," Tate said. "I believe we have a really good culture here and I'm sure he'd thrive at the Warriors given the chance."
Seymour could not be reached for comment.
Ironically, Sunday News also understands the Auckland-based club expressed interest in him 18 months ago before he re-signed with the Sharks.
