Caught between being a schoolboy and a superstar - The Owen Craigie story

Brendan Bradford

Caught between being a schoolboy and a superstar - The Owen Craigie story image

At 19, Owen Craigie had it all. Money, houses, cars, fame and a premiership. On the outside, life was good, but away from footy, he was struggling. 

His story should act as a reminder to all young players coming through the ranks about the dangers and pitfalls of life at the top of the sport.  

A TINGHA BOY 

Owen Craigie grew up the eldest of seven kids in the tiny town of Tingha in northern New South Wales. 

Although boasting a population of just 600-700, Tingha has produced some serious sporting talent, with Nathan Blacklock, Preston Campbell and Bevan French all having roots there. 

"Rugby league was everything growing up," Craigie tells Sporting News.

"We used to run up to the footy ground to see who could be a ballboy or sand boy. We'd play footy from sun up to sun down. 

"It was all I knew." 

PURE SPEED

Craigie first made a name for himself in athletics, winning school, state and national events. 

"I used to run 100m on grass bare foot in 11 seconds," Craigie says.

"When I started using spikes, I could run 10.93 and I went to America and Canada for athletics."

It didn't take long for his speed to make him a standout on the football field too. 

"I realised I could use my kicking game and I could chip and chase, get them to plant their feet and be gone," he says.

"They had to turn and chase and I'd be gone. I scored a lot of tries and started to get scouted then."

He was still at school, but was geting serious interest from the Roosters and a couple of other Sydney clubs, but eventually signed with Newcastle because it was closer to home. 

FIRST GRADE DEBUT 

Craigie was just 17 when he made his first grade debut in 1995 against a gun Brisbane side featuring Wendell Sailor, Steve Renouf, Darren Lockyer, Kevin Walters, Alfie Langer and Glenn Lazarus. 

Back then, he'd play schoolboys footy before backing up for the Knights. 

"That's how it was done. I'd play Commonwealth Bank Cup for St Francis Xavier's College on a Friday, then for the Knights in front 20,000 or 30,000 people at night and go back to school on Monday," he says.

Craigie started his debut on the bench, but didn't take long to get acquainted with the realities of first grade. 

"I came on in the last 20 minutes, replacing Ashley Gordon," he says.

"I remember it clear as day, the ground announcer said 'here comes 17-year-old Owen Craigie for his debut' and I decided to take a run off a scrum. 

"I got lifted. Yeah, I got smashed...

"I came off the scrum and Walters was five-eighth and one of their forwards, it might've been Andrew Gee, just smashed me and said 'welcome to first grade.'

"I just jogged back to the wing and thought 'I've gotta up my game here.'

TOO MUCH, TOO SOON

Despite that brutal introduction, Craigie soon cemented his spot in first grade. He scored 12 tries in 1997 and lined up in the centres in Newcastle's epic last-minute ARL grand final win over Manly.

From the outside looking in, things were great. Craigie was scoring tries, winning comps, buying houses and was taking full advantages of the trappings of fame and fortune. 

So, why did he feel so empty? 

"I was living the lifestyle. Who wouldn't want to own a house at 17, win a premiership at 19 and have three houses with no bankloans at 23?" he says. 

"I lived the life, but along with that came lifestyle decisions, hanging out with the wrong people and doing things I shouldn't have been doing with girls, gambling, drugs and alcohol.

"I thought it was great, but there was a lot of pressure. I was caught between being a schoolboy and being a superstar. It controlled my life and I spiralled out of control, gambling, drinking - everything.

"It's not something I want to glorify, but it is what it is."

With so many external pressures weighing heavily on him, he soon realised the only place he really felt at peace was on the field. 

"There were times when I'd play in front of 30,000 people at Marathon Stadium, but I couldn't be in front of a few people at the pub. I just had anxiety all the time," he says.

"When you're at the footy, it's natural - you just score tries and run. But I'd suffer with groups, and the only way I knew how to be normal was to be blind drunk.

"I was an addict. Where you'd have six beers, I'd have 106. Where you'd go home at 7pm, I'd come home at seven the next morning. 

"One beer's too many, and 100 beers isn't enough."

ROCK BOTTOM

Those were different times in rugby league.

There weren't any welfare officers or officials Craigie could talk to, and his inner demons didn't leave just because he stopped playing in 2005. He waged a solitary struggle for the next 14 years. 

"My ego always stopped me from asking for help," he says.

"My wife had left me with the kids, my sister had died and two mates had died as well. 

"I was just drinking, doing drugs - cocaine - and it was easing my pain. Next thing it's a year later and I'm still doing the same thing. I was having health issues, trouble breathing. It was bad. I don't wish it on my worst enemy."

Something had to give. 

"It wasn't until 2019, when I was about to take my life that I rung Matty Johns and cried out for help," he says.

"When you're at the bottom of the barrel, a lot of people don't come back up, but you've gotta ask for help.

"As a man I thought I was supposed to be the lion of the jungle. I was telling myself I was sweet."

CHASE THE ENERGY 

The last two years have been a journey for Craigie as he addressed his issues and learned to forgive himself. 

He now pours all his energy into his Chase The Energy movement, promoting regular exercise and encouraging discussions around mental health.

"Life's good now. Life's good," he says. 

"I've learned some lessons and with Chase the Energy, I'm just trying to pay it forward for other people who are struggling with mental health issues and addictions.

"It's a sensitive topic and there's stigma around it, but it's real and you've just gotta talk about it, and ask for help."

Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.

Learn more about Chase the Energy here.

 

Brendan Bradford