- Braydon Trindall was caught driving with alcohol and drugs in his system
- Cronulla playmaker made big changes to his life after the wake up call
- Trindall is now playing some of the best footy of his life for the Sharks
Cronulla Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall has opened up about his attitude turnaround following a controversial incident which saw him stood down by his NRL club earlier this season.
The playmaker was caught driving to training under the influence of alcohol, and with an illicit substance in his system, in April, in an incident which threatened to derail his 2024.
The 24-year-old recorded a mid-range alcohol reading of 0/125 during his roadside drug test which also returned a positive reading for recreational drugs on the morning after Cronulla beat North Queensland.
He copped a fine and was disqualified from driving for three months after facing court in May, and he says he’s now committed to paying back the club for having his back.
Trindall has been playing some outstanding footy and puts it down to major lifestyle changes he’s implemented since the incident.
‘It was a bad mistake and I had to take it on the chin, work on improving myself and come back a better person and better player,’ he told News Corp.
‘Then it was earning the trust back from every person at our club.
‘What happened was a massive wake-up call.
‘I gave up drinking for a little while. I had to avoid certain situations and be in the right environment.
‘I’ve narrowed down my circle of people I mix with. I’m with people now who want the best for me.’
Trindall has made the decision to stay away from certain people and also banned himself from pub gaming-rooms.
‘I just decided to knock it all on the head,’ he said. ‘It’s all part of getting my life sorted as a professional athlete.
‘I excluded myself from the Caringbah Hotel and that covers the rest of the state. Again, it’s about being a smarter and better person.’
Trindall has previously thanked Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbons for his support throughout the ordeal, saying he’s been ‘awesome’.
‘He supported me the whole way. I just want to repay him. I just wanted to focus on [what was happening] and getting through that first,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘But I’m feeling good [now]. The boys showed a lot of support. It’s good being back and I’m keen to work hard for them.’
The Cronulla Sharks will take on the Penrith Panthers in this week’s preliminary finals.
