{"id":156736,"date":"2025-09-20T14:15:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T14:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/156736\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T14:15:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T14:15:16","slug":"how-nrl-star-tom-starling-overcame-his-battle-with-the-nsw-police-to-become-a-key-figure-for-the-raiders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/156736\/","title":{"rendered":"How NRL star Tom Starling overcame his battle with the NSW Police to become a key figure for the Raiders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Given opportunity to start games this NRL seasonHooker has been a revelation for the Raiders all yearFaced an uncertain future after 2020 brawl with police<\/p>\n

By ANDREW PRENTICE, SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 03:30 EDT, 20 September 2025 | Updated: 03:36 EDT, 20 September 2025 <\/p>\n

Tom Starling knows it – his NRL<\/a> career looked to be in limbo following a brawl with serving\u00a0NSW<\/a>\u00a0Police in December of 2020.<\/p>\n

Starling attended a 21st birthday at\u00a0Shady Palms restaurant on the NSW central coast with his family when his mother was allegedly insulted by a security guard.<\/p>\n

Chaos followed, and the Canberra Raiders hooker came off second best when repeatedly punched by a police officer<\/a>\u00a0at the scene.<\/p>\n

The matter was later played out in court, with Starling cleared of all charges stemming from the brawl.<\/p>\n

He still plans to sue the NSW Police, but when the dummy-half reflects on the incident, Starling’s primary concern was playing footy again, not his battered face.<\/p>\n

Starling arrived at the Raiders from Newcastle in 2019, and created a name for himself as an impact player as he bided his time behind the likes of Josh Hodgson,\u00a0Zac Woolford and Danny Levi.<\/p>\n

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Tom <\/p>\n

Tom Starling knows it – his NRL career looked to be in limbo following a brawl involving NSW Police in December of 2020 (pictured, the aftermath with the matter later proceeding to court)<\/p>\n

\"He <\/p>\n

He plans to sue the NSW Police, but when the dummy-half reflects on the incident, Starling’s primary concern was playing footy again, not his face (pictured, with his partner Chelsea)<\/p>\n

\"Fast <\/p>\n

Fast forward to 2025 and Starling has been a standout in the no.9 jersey all season as the Raiders\u00a0marched to the minor premiership<\/p>\n

Eager for more minutes, Starling asked coach Ricky Stuart in the pre-season could he start in the no.9 jersey.<\/p>\n

Stuart agreed, and Starling got the nod ahead of his team’s 2025 season opener versus the Warriors in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

The jersey was his to lose – and it has proven to be an astute decision, with Starling a key figure as the Raiders marched to the minor premiership.<\/p>\n

Winning the JJ Giltinan Shield was also satisfying for the playing group given many ‘experts’ and footy fans tipped Canberra to be wooden spoon contenders.<\/p>\n

And following their heartbreaking defeat against the Broncos in a 94-minute Qualifying Final epic, Stuart’s men now face a sudden-death clash against Cronulla on Saturday night at GIO Stadium.<\/p>\n

Victory will set up a daunting assignment in the Preliminary Final – the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park – but Starling’s focus is first getting past the Sharks.<\/p>\n

‘Every time we have lost (this year), we have taken our lessons and become a better side,’ Starling told News Corp.<\/a><\/p>\n

‘Our effort and desire to win (against Brisbane) was there. We are going to need that again, but the goal for us hasn’t changed, it’s just a different path.<\/p>\n

‘Our goal is simple: to win the premiership. Whoever stands in our way, we’ll face them head-on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘After everything we have been through, lifting that trophy will make it all worthwhile.’<\/p>\n

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