Sailor eager for redemption
August 14th 2008 08:30
Round 2 - Wendell Sailor is ready for battle against Brisbane
For Wendell Sailor, the first bout against the Brisbane Broncos was a knockout.
He lasted 30 minutes before the former QLD Origin winger broke his cheekbone attempting a tackle on David Stagg.
After the hype leading up to his debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Sailor’s presence was lost and ‘Big Dell’ would have to wait weeks to re-emerge from the void that had been cast through yet another set back.
The time on the sidelines though is over - again.
In what is arguably his biggest comeback match in the NRL, Sailor will take his place on the wing against a club in which he played 189 first grade games, culminating in a grand final victory in 2000.
On the dry surfaces of Suncorp Stadium, Sailor will have another chance to shine against the side he made his name with.
Not much has changed from Brisbane’s part. They are still the workhorse side with big forwards and damaging backs.
They still have Darren Lockyer calling the shots and, of course, master coach Wayne Bennett remains the only man to have coached the Brisbane Broncos.
Sailor however has undergone more changes than an Elton John concert.
The Australian winger left the NRL at the end of 2001 for a career in Rugby Union, having signed a deal with the Queensland Reds.
Although he would go on to become the 42nd Wallaby international - which included playing in the final of the 2003 World Cup, Sailor’s time in Union was met with controversy.
Sailor came off contract at the Queensland Reds and later joined rivals the NSW Waratahs. The move started well for Sailor, helping NSW score a victory over the Reds at Suncorp.
But that’s how far the good times went for the dual international.
On May 13, 2006, hours before the final pool match of the Super 14 competition, it was announced that Sailor was to be suspended indefinitely from representing either the NSW Waratahs or Australian Rugby Team after returning a positive drug test for cocaine and anabolic steroids. Sailor's manager confirmed in a statement it was a doping offence.
The ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency) immediately banned Sailor from competitive sport within Australia for 2 years.
This was no doubt the end for Sailor, not only in Rugby Union but sport in general. Fans were left both shocked and betrayed by one of Australia’s most ‘out there’ characters.
But rather than let the ban destroy a career full of controversy, Sailor stood firm.
In carrying out his ban, Sailor was heavily involved in charity work and alcohol and drug awareness programs with young people in an attempt to make amends for his actions.
While many still hold their thoughts on Sailor’s achievements in Australian sport, the now Dragons winger has a chance to somehow rectify the pain he has caused to both his team-mates and family in general.
Like him or not, Sailor still has the fan base that are eager to see him play to a level that saw the former Bronco succeed under the tutelage of Wayne Bennett.
Judging from those opening thirty minutes at WIN stadium against his former club, Sailor still has what it takes to cause a few stirs in Rugby League circles.
When Bennett takes up his post as Dragons coach next season, maybe Sailor will rediscover the flair that made him one the most damaging ball running winger in his hey day.
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