NRL: Tough love for Seymour

Former Shark and Bronco Brett Seymour has much to ponder before signing a contract to join the Warriors next season. Photo / Getty Images

Brett Seymour will have to agree to one of the most stringent contracts in Warriors' history if the five-eighth is to join the club next season.

The Warriors are in advanced discussions with the troubled former Broncos and Sharks playmaker and a deal could be done later this week.

Seymour was sacked from the Broncos in 2007 after allegedly head-butting a woman at a Brisbane pub and was also shown the door by the Sharks this season after two incidents.

In March, he was filmed stumbling from a Sydney club after being ejected for being too drunk and wearing jandals. Last month, he was removed from the same night spot in a similarly drunken state after reportedly punching a mirror.

"Anything that did occur would be the tightest contract we have had in terms of expectations." Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said.

It would need to be to satisfy the NRL, who have become tired of repeated off-field incidents which have tarnished the game's image.

Last week, they released guidelines which put the onus back on clubs to control their players and NRL boss David Gallop warned clubs could be fined for recruiting serial offenders and that repercussions would be severe if they re-offended.

The Warriors have made no secret of the fact they need to sign an experienced half to spark their attack. But their pursuit of Seymour has drawn plenty of comment, especially as they sacked both Sione Faumuina and Misi Taulapapa for alcohol-related incidents.

"They broke club rules and did that on numerous occasions," Scurrah said. "We remain fairly intolerant of what people do. Brett didn't break any laws and we think he deserves an opportunity. I suspect on any Saturday night you will find plenty of drunk boys and girls walking down a street.

"He certainly has a drinking issue and we will do our utmost to assist him with that and ensure no similar incident happens at the club. We are also aware of the NRL's tougher stance on that type of behaviour and clubs who decide to recruit players with records.

"If Brett joins the club he is aware of what would be expected of him. I have met him and in my mind he's not a villain. He just has to get his life in order with a particular issue."

Seymour could not be contacted for comment but is reportedly attempting to work through his drinking problem by attending regular counselling sessions. It's understood he has a history of alcoholism in his family.

It could be assumed he would have to abstain from alcohol altogether if he joined the Warriors and continue attending counselling. It's likely the club would have a low or no tolerance policy if he transgressed.

Still only 24, Seymour has played 101 NRL games since his Broncos debut in 2002. He is a talent and was once described as the next Alan Langer.

The Warriors are clearly putting the club's playing squad ahead of anything else. They want Stacey Jones to re-sign and mentor the highly-promising Shaun Johnson and Seymour to help guide Isaac John.

"It goes without saying we are looking for the best players available," Scurrah said. "A person's playing ability is the first thing we look at. He wouldn't have got past step one if we didn't think he was the sort of player we were looking for."

Auckland could well be the best place for Seymour to resurrect his career. In Sydney, there are nine NRL teams and players commonly socialise together.

The Warriors also have a reasonably clean recent record. This was something the present Warriors management under Scurrah and football director John Hart set out to do after the turbulent Mick Watson era; determined to weed out players they thought were destabilising influences.

They often parrot a refrain heard around the All Blacks that better people make better players.

"One of the difficulties we have is that in trying to get everything so perfect in the club, there's a risk we have oversanitised it," Scurrah said. "Only time will tell if it's the right call. We are certainly putting our necks on the line and taking a bigger risk than we typically would but we are also trying to find the right squad.

"A big part of hiring Brett is a commitment to helping him achieve the things he wants to on and off the field. That's what we will do our utmost to do."