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Tom Starling knows it - his NRL career looked to be in limbo following a brawl with serving NSW Police in December of 2020.
Starling attended a 21st birthday at Shady Palms restaurant on the NSW central coast with his family when his mother was allegedly insulted by a security guard.
Chaos followed, and the Canberra Raiders hooker came off second best when repeatedly punched by a police officer at the scene.
The matter was later played out in court, with Starling cleared of all charges stemming from the brawl.
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.
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, Zac Woolford and Danny Levi.
GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
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)
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)
Fast forward to 2025 and Starling has been a standout in the no.9 jersey all season as the Raiders marched to the minor premiership
Eager for more minutes, Starling asked coach Ricky Stuart in the pre-season could he start in the no.9 jersey.
Stuart agreed, and Starling got the nod ahead of his team's 2025 season opener versus the Warriors in Las Vegas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'Every time we have lost (this year), we have taken our lessons and become a better side,' Starling told News Corp.
'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.
'Our goal is simple: to win the premiership. Whoever stands in our way, we'll face them head-on.
'After everything we have been through, lifting that trophy will make it all worthwhile.'
