FACING the likelihood of a ruined career was so hard for Danny Wicks that he couldn’t bring himself to watch any rugby league games while in prison on drug trafficking charges.
But that still didn’t stop him from winning an NRL tipping competition behind bars.
Wicks opened up on Sterlo: On The Couch on Wednesday night about his 18-month stint inside from 2011 — an experience he labelled “humbling” — before his improbable return to the NRL that has been so successful a contract extension is set to be agreed with the Parramatta Eels.
His nightmare started in 2011 after being sentenced to three years with an 18-month minimum period, a prospect that led his manager to declare to the judge that Wicks’ career was likely over.
“To be honest, footy was probably the last thing on my mind at that stage,” Wicks said. “I had a rocky road that I was about to travel and in my opinion, as far as I was concerned, it was probably over.
“The minimum was 18 months, there was no other way at looking at it — I had to prepare myself. It was a rocky slope. To be honest, my family was my rock at that stage and I had to be strong for them.”
The first night behind bars was the hardest, Wicks revealed, as the helplessness sets in.
“Hold on, she’s going to be a bumpy ride. When I was first arrested when they close the doors, that feeling there’s nothing you can do, that no matter how strong you are, no matter who you ring, if you had a phone, there’s nothing you can do here to get you out.
“It’s a humbling feeling.”
Not only did Wicks have to deal with the loss of his freedom and livelihood but, having a profile as a rugby league player, meant there were also safety risks — thankfully unrealised.
“It could have went one of two ways, with someone trying to prove something,” he confided.
Not wanting to look back, other than to admit he felt his descent into trouble started with a sense that he felt “untouchable”, Wicks revealed what kept him going was a focus on training.
He has since lost 20 kilograms from his playing weight at former clubs St George Illawarra and Newcastle Knights, hardening a physique that still allowed him to score a memorable long-range try against the Sydney Roosters in 2009.
But a new-found dedication to training didn’t necessarily translate to a renewed focus on footy.
Asked if he followed the NRL, he responded: “No, I didn’t. You didn’t sort of want to go back on it when you’re watching a game, reflect on what you’ve done wrong. I suppose you go into a spell of depression.
“I went in a footy tipping comp and won it in there but I didn’t watch any of the games, no.”
And the hardest thing about being locked up?
“Family, mate,” Wicks said. “The thought of losing someone when you’re in there and not being able to say goodbye or not being able to spend time with them. That was probably the biggest concern on my mind”.
If you want to watch the Sterlo interview, you can do so here: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/danny-wicks-couldnt-face-watching-nrl-in-prison-due-to-depression-over-ruined-prospects/story-fnp0lyn3-1227327186131
Replies
danny wicks on the sterlo show, nice inter view, danny said he loved the eels and loved coming to training ..
20 kgs lighter and looking great, i think a buy no one ever did think would turn out as good as he has.
tonight its semi on the footie show..
I think we all view Danny as an asset.
Here's the video link from Fox Sports
http://m.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/danny-wicks-couldnt-f...
I really enjoyed his interview with Sterlo. He was very honest and contrite.
I also found it interesting that when asked why he chose Parra he was unequivocal - Brad Arthur.
Our coach is copping a bit on this forum at the moment - especially from Fong. He doesn't have the runs on the board and it remains to be seen whether he will be a successful first grade coach; however, it does seem pretty apparent that he is a quality man-manager and the players want to play for him.
Our list is okay but probably not to the level of most other clubs. If we make the finals, I consider that a successful season. If we end up in the bottom two or three, it would be an abject failure.
One thing I did take from the interview was, if all our players had the focus and desire of Danny Wicks, we would be a far more successful conveyance.
Love this post! People do things in tough times and what he did to turn his life around is inspirational. I'm very happy for this bloke and I still can't believe his performances over the past 2 months. Wicks is a player that will help the Eels in the 8 whether it's this year or next.
I'm going out on a limb and saying he is the best buy of the season
Let it go!
This obsession that certain members of our community have to castigate peddlers of drugs confuses the crap out of me! The people I can't cop are the likes of that piece of scum who murdered Stephanie Scott, or men who sexually and violently abuse women like Bilal Scaf, or pedophiles etc. They commit acts that their victims never asked for or consented to. How you can align such people with opportunistic little snots who supply drugs to a market of demand, I'll never know!
I've never done anything harder than marijuana but certainly know people who have - and who could 'hook me up' if I so wished (as I'm sure you do). Hell, my best mate almost died from an overdose of heroin.
There can be all the drugs in the world, washing through our society at any given time, but if you choose not to ingest it, it can't hurt you. For those who do end up taking these substances, theirs is destructive behavior. If the drugs weren't there, do you suggest that they would all be model citizens or would they find something else to be their crutch??
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