Former NRL champion Curtis Scott has been informed by the NRL that he won’t be considered for a contract in 2024, meaning that the centre could be heading to a Super League side to re-establish his career.
Scott is still just 26 but the Australian hasn’t played in the NRL since the 2021 season, during which he was released from Canberra Raiders for his involvement in what was reported as a fight with England international John Bateman.
A Daily Telegraph report from 2021 unveiled the fact that a punch-up between Scott and Bateman was one of the contributing factors to the club sacking him.
The Raiders reasoned that he had brought the club into disrepute having been charged with assault in a Canberra nightclub in May of that year, however Fox reported that it was actually an internal bust-up that was one of the key reasons for his dismissal.
It was reported by the Telegraph that: “Scott and Bateman had a fight after a team function, in which Scott suffered a hand injury that forced him to miss several games.”
They also confirmed that it had no bearing on Bateman’s decision to return to England at the end of the 2021 season, however it did mark the final time Scott was contracted to an NRL team.
It’s now being reported by the Telegraph that the NRL have rejected Scott’s pursuit of an NRL contract, one club had been interested but the league have now explained there aren’t plans for him to play in 2024.
As such the 26-year-old could seek a move to Super League to try and resurrect his career having encountered numerous off-field issues during his time in the game.
There is still a chance that Scott could try forge his way into the NRL via the reserve grade in either the Queensland or New South Wales Cup, but Super League is a consideration.
Of the Super League sides to have quota spots available there is one standout in St Helens, the club having specifically left the number three shirt vacant after Will Hopoate’s retirement.
Saints had confirmed that the search for a centre was both domestic and international, and with the confirmation that Scott won’t play in the NRL for 2024 then he surely becomes a possibility.
During his time in the NRL he won a premiership with the Melbourne Storm and racked up 72 appearances, tallying 21 tries.
He also represented the Storm in their 2018 Grand Final loss but was part of the 2018 World Club Challenge winning side that heavily defeated Leeds Rhinos 38-4.
