Former NRL star turned mental health counsellor Joe Williams has offered his help to Brent Naden in a bid to get the wayward Panthers youngster's life back on track.
The similarities between Williams and Naden – who was provisionally suspended by the NRL yesterday for allegedly using cocaine before the grand final – are uncanny.
Both Aboriginal players hailed from the rough areas of western NSW before coming to the big city to play footy. Both were subjected to racial abuse.
And like Naden is alleged to have done, Williams dabbled in drugs while he was playing.
"I was an addict during my career so I know a fair bit about the demons Brent is going through," Williams, now a professor of psychology, told Wide World of Sports.
"And I've known the kid since he was 15. He is a great talent and a good kid and it's a shame right now that everyone wants to throw him under the bus.
"He needs help and the thing we should all be focusing is not 'what went on' and judge him, but the 'why' behind his actions.
"Why before the biggest game of anyone's career, why would he go to that point?
"Someone has to be unwell to take that risk and there is some serious help that is needed.
"He obviously has issues and I actually reached out to him yesterday before the (cocaine) story broke because a mutual friend told me he was struggling to cope with things.
"I am waiting for him to get back to me but the club has probably told him to lay low for a while, which is understandable."
Williams says Naden's life and career are at the crossroads.
"Plenty of guys in the NRL that have done bad things," he said. "Andrew Johns had similar issues and he went on to become an Immortal.
"Brent has a massive career in front of him that could spiral right now.
"I want to sit him down, talk to him, get into his mind, see what is troubling him and hopefully fix it and get him back on the right track."
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