The 42-year-old, who played centre in the Knights’ famous 1997 win, revealed that life became so tough in recent times that he was prepared to end his life.

After developing a gambling problem, in which he predicts he wasted $2 million on poker machines and racing, Craigie also turned to alcohol and drugs.

It led to the breakdown in his marriage last year.

He was subsequently admitted to a psychiatric ward for support after he had considered taking his own life.

“The first person I rang was Matty Johns. He just said ‘where are you, pull over’. So I pulled over near Cooks Hill Surf Club and then Kurt Gidley rings me. He says ‘mate, I hear you’re in a bad way and I said ‘I am’.