Fear of flying drove me to drink, claims axed Laurie
Josh Rakic - SMH
June 22, 2011
\
\
SACKED Panthers forward Daine Laurie says a fear of flying was the reason he drank three bourbon and colas on a flight to Auckland last Friday morning.
The 26-year-old was axed by Penrith general manger Phil Gould on Monday after a Windsor Wolves teammate reported him for drinking on the 8am flight. While Laurie admitted that having a drink was a bad idea, he insisted he did not become aggressive or upset any passengers and said he drank for sedation and not pleasure.
''I don't drink that early normally but I needed to kick the nerves. I hate flying,'' Laurie said yesterday. ''I only do that on flights. It turns my stomach, my heart. I get little anxiety attacks. It's OK when it's smooth but as soon as a little turbulence hits, I start sweating and freaking out.
''Every flight I go on, I have a couple of drinks. I did the same thing on the way back. I wasn't drunk or making a scene.''
The Herald understands the majority of Wolves players consumed alcohol on the return flight before going out on the town in Sydney. That is not against team protocol but Laurie, who was on his final warning at the club after charges of physical violence against his former partner last year were dismissed, believes he is being used as an example.
Gould said last night he had not heard of any other players drinking on the flight to NZ.
''I haven't been playing up,'' Laurie insisted. ''[Former Penrith coach] Matty Elliott said last week I was about two to four weeks away from making it back to NRL.
''When I was over in France, the club lent me a car, and they claimed I damaged it, worth about $3000\. I didn't damage any car, and I told Mick Leary and Matt Elliott, and they supported me. The gearbox went on the car, and it was an old car, but they said it was OK because it was insured. So I didn't pay it, and that was the end of it. Then 'Gus' [Gould] brought it up and used that as well.
''Gus just called me out at training at around 2pm, and bang: 'You gotta go, mate - hopefully, you can find another club.'''
Laurie said he hoped to find another club this season but was considering moving to the Northern Territory to look for work. ''I'd like to keep playing footy somewhere but, if not, I'll give it away - it's not my life, I just enjoy playing it,'' he said.
