Kenny blames Eels over Smith

TROUBLED Eels star Tim Smith was yesterday banned from drinking until the end of 2008 as punishment for his latest alcohol-fuelled disgrace - but Brett Kenny says it is too late.

The Parramatta legend last night hit out at his former club, declaring the Eels were partly to blame for Smith's disturbing behaviour.

Kenny, a premiership winning five-eighth, said the Eels have let the talented game-breaker get away with too much for too long.

"What is this? His third of fourth indiscretion?," Kenny said.

"They needed to have a good talk to him, but they have left it too late.

"The club have been at fault from the word go.

"He has been in strife with grog before and I think if they came down harder on him in the past then it wouldn't have happened as much."

The halfback was hauled before Eels management yesterday and forced to agree to a 12-month alcohol ban after allegedly intimidating, swearing and making obscene finger gestures at 55-year-old Charles Brincat.

Brincat complained to the club after a "heavily intoxicated" Smith abused him last Sunday. He said Smith could barely stand up.

Just last year, Parramatta threatened to terminate Smith's contract after a series of drunken incidents.

Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald yesterday said Smith had telephoned the Sydney grandfather and apologised for his actions.

"We had a very positive meeting with Tim this morning and he was very sorry that his drunkenness and actions let down the club and its fans," Fitzgerald said.

"He telephoned the complainant to apologise for any of his actions or words that may have offended the man and his family."

Smith confessed to having a problem with alcohol and has agreed to undergo counselling.
He was also fined $1000.

"Tim admitted he has a problem with alcohol and will continue to have counselling sessions with a leading specialist in alcohol related behaviour," coach Michael Hagan said.

Kenny warned Smith not to throw his career away. "He is earning good money," Kenny said.

"Certainly more than any other kid his age. He has to realise that he has an opportunity to set himself up in the future.

"He has to concentrate on his football. I have seen a lot of guys that have gone to the wayside."

Kenny also accused the Eels of putting too much pressure on Smith in the past.

"You think about what has happened to him and the club is to blame for a lot of it," Kenny said.

"They have put a lot of pressure on him with the comparisons to Peter Sterling and they should have done more to dismiss them.

"Maybe he read it and started to believe it. But he just has to knuckle down and play some good football.

"He has to learn from this."