Curtis Scott has spoken about frequent anxiety attacks and his determination to repay the Raiders after speaking publicly for the first time about his January 27 arrest.
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The 22-year-old said it felt a weight had been off his shoulders after seven charges against him, including five for assaulting police, were dropped in a Sydney court this week.
Scott has spent the last seven and a half months in limbo, unable to tell his side of the story which was revealed in court during the week through disturbing vision of his arrest.
Officers handcuffed a sleeping Scott, who was then pepper sprayed and tasered before being taken away.
"It was tough there...knowing that the allegations that were tossed out weren't true," Scott said.
"You're always laying down in bed at night thinking 'if one of these charges stick I could be out of the workforce' every day and it's pretty scary. I'm really grateful.
"I'm just happy that I can get a full eight hours sleep at night now and not wake up in an anxiety attack. I just had to deal with the media and the pressure all the way up until yesterday.
"It's been pretty traumatic for me but then again I know I put myself in that situation. It's actually made me a better person as well, it's made me mature and take into account that one night out can take [away] everything that you've worked for since I was a four year old.
"It's a big weight off my shoulders, a big cloud has finally passed over my head. I'm just going to relax and get through this season. It's been pretty tough I'm just looking forward to that."
Scott made a brief statement at Raiders headquarters on Friday afternoon, before taking questions from the media.
Earlier in the day Raiders coach Ricky Stuart spoke glowingly of how his star recruit had handled himself since his arrest.
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"Ricky's been outstanding, he told me at the start not to lie to him and I told the truth from the beginning," Scott said.
"There's been a lot of people at this club that have gone into bat with me, Andrew Bishop the welfare officer, he's been massive, I've spoken to him day to day chats and I think I've kept him in a job.
"Knowing that you have their support it just makes it much easier.
"I was really embarrassed with what happened and I'm forever in their debt now, I've got to repay them and I've got to get back playing the footy that I should be playing and repaying them."
Just when Scott returns to the field remains to be seen, as he continues to battle a leg injury suffered two weeks ago.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
