This time last year, Cronulla playmaker Braydon Trindall feared his NRL career was done.
“Of course, when it all happened, I thought it was over,” Trindall says.
“There were some tough conversations that followed.
“‘Fitzy’ [Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon] always says, ‘don’t f— with the footy’, which basically means having the right preparation, and being that full-time professional player.
“I wasn’t doing that just over 12 months ago. I’ve matured now. I’m not messing with my footy.”
On Tuesday, it will be exactly a year since Trindall was stopped by police on his way to a Cronulla recovery session and recorded a mid-range alcohol reading of 0.125. He also returned a positive test to cocaine.
Tuesday will mark a year since Cronulla’s Braydon Trindall returned a road-side positive to alcohol and cocaine.Credit: Sam Mooy
The Sharks had beaten North Queensland a day earlier, and prop Toby Rudolf had a few players back at his unit for a celebration. Once that was over, Trindall thought he would continue with his night.
It was nearly 10am the next day when he was driving along Captain Cook Drive in Caringbah, a few kilometres from the Sharks’ home ground, when stopped by police.
Trindall pleaded guilty in court, was fined $1100, and had his licence suspended for three months. The NRL also issued him a breach notice, and Trindall missed five games for Cronulla.
Trindall quit alcohol for several months, but said he was mature enough “where I can go out now, have a social drink and be responsible”.
He is reminded about the incident when forced to use an alcohol interlock system to start his car.
“I have to keep doing that until the end of the year, and it’s not cheap to keep getting the system recalibrated every month,” Trindall said.
Trindall was lucky nobody was injured or even killed. He does not need to be reminded of that.
Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of cocaine when he caused a road accident in Brisbane last October, and was subsequently hit with a nine-match suspension by the NRL.
If Trindall was given a second chance, he was never going to blow his comeback. So far, so good.
The 25-year-old has been one of the Sharks’ best each week.Credit: Getty Images
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo summed it up best when talking about those first few weeks after Trindall was charged, and forced to undergo drug and alcohol counselling.
“The best thing about him is he took accountability for his stupid actions – he knows that,” Mulitalo told this masthead.
“He’s my best mate, we’re not just mates in footy, we’re best mates off the field, and he had a lot of learning to do. There was a lot of self-reflection.
“Sometimes people need those hard lessons. It’s changed his life immensely. He’s such a different person now. He enjoys life.
“When you’re in this [footy] bubble, you forget how good it is, having this life playing footy with your best mates.
“It puts things into perspective for him.
“The presence he brings now, the positive energy, and how hard he’s willing to work to repay his teammates … in saying that, he knows we’ve always got his back as well.”
After the charges, Trindall fronted the playing group more than once, vowing to win back their respect and trust.
The Sharks had started last season brilliantly, and the last thing they needed was an off-field drama.
As Fitzgibbon said in the weeks that followed: “We’ve worked very hard at being a team our fans and community are proud of. We obviously need to improve the standards. We need to look after each other so situations like this don’t arise again.”
Mulitalo added this week: “The club did an awesome job to support him and his family – they could see past what he had done and knew there was a good human there.
“He needed to feel the love, but that tough love as well, and take some lessons out of it. We’ve all f—ed up along the road. For us, it was about getting around him.”
When told about Mulitalo’s comments, Trindall said: “It’s good to hear that from one of my close mates. He’s an honest guy. He tells you things you need to hear, whether it’s good or bad.
“When you have good people around you, and the club backing me like they did, all you want to do is win back their trust and repay them.”
Trindall has made changes off the field, including a new love of cooking. He and Mulitalo and several Sharks, and players at rival clubs, will often share photos of their meals and new recipes in a WhatsApp group.
Trindall’s form upon his return from suspension last year was good enough for him to land a lucrative new contract.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has helped Braydon Trindall get back on track.Credit: Getty Images
He and halves partner Nicho Hynes continue to evolve their game. Plenty of fans often wonder if Trindall is the club’s chief conductor, despite wearing the No.6. But who cares if Cronulla are winning?
The club is chasing a fourth win in seven games in 2025 when they head to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Daniel Atkinson, who was promoted to the halves when Trindall was stood down last year, said he had learned a lot from Trindall, especially how to keep a clear mind.
As for Trindall’s redemption, Atkinson said: “He’s let his performances do the talking, which is always the best response.”
The only knock on Trindall’s game in Perth last weekend was the two intercept passes he threw which led to Manly tries.
His teammates have reminded him about it all week.
The Sharks have done a lot of travelling. The only reason they might come up short against the Knights is fatigue. Souths and Manly also made the trek west and already lost this weekend.
Trindall grew up in Wee Waa, a tiny dot on the map in the state’s north-west. It’s also the town where Manly legend Jamie Lyon grew up.
Despite that, Trindall grew up supporting the Broncos and Queensland, and later pledged his allegiance to the Maroons. He moved to the Sunshine Coast when he was 12, which helped put his conscience at ease about calling himself a Queenslander.
For now, Trindall is happy. He looks it, sounds it, and wants success this year. He is grateful for the second chance. Don’t stress, there will be no need for a third one.
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