NZ Warriors star Reece Walsh admits arrogance got the better of him, after a rookie NRL season that saw him rapidly promoted from a development player to the verge of State of Origin.
But his maiden first-grade campaign ended in disgrace, suspended for next season's opening match for fighting in the Warriors' finale against Gold Coast, which also cost him Dally M Rookie of the Year honours, and then arrested for possession of cocaine at a Surfers Paradise nightclub.
Walsh has revealed to Sydney's Daily Telegraph that he did not handle his meteoric rise well and sounds a warning to other young players thrust into the professional spotlight.
Reporting to Warriors pre-season training this week, he insists he hasn't touched alchohol since his arrest last September.
"I learnt a big lesson about not thinking you're better than everyone and on top of the world," Walsh tells Daily Telegraph. "I got complacent and arrogant.
"It was a huge learning curve - I'm glad I learnt at this age. Even though it was disappointing and I was ashamed of what I did, I'm happy it's happened now, and not 5-10 years down the track.
"I could have still been doing the same stuff and having bad habits. It's something I can learn from and also tell my story to young kids coming through, when I'm a bit older and more experienced."
After his cocaine bust, Walsh was fined $5000 and suspended another two games by the NRL, but was placed on a good behaviour bond and fined $400 by the courts.
The next day, Warriors chief executive Cam George dragged his young charge in front of media to apologise publicly.
"I said I wouldn't touch drugs," says Walsh. "I was going out and random people were coming up to me, trying to give me stuff. It got to a point where I thought, 'Stuff it, I'll just do it'.
"I paid the price and I'm still paying it to this day. To be honest, I'll probably pay for it for the rest of my life."
