Wendell Sailor’s appearance at the Inaugural Gold Coast State of Origin Lunch has triggered alarm among attendees and renewed calls from former clubs for him to be treated in a mental health facility, with representatives reportedly trying to raise funds as he
When Wendell Sailor stepped into the Sheraton Grand Mirage for the Inaugural Gold Coast State of Origin Lunch on May 22, it was supposed to be a celebration of a sporting icon.
Instead, multiple people in the room reportedly watched behaviour that left them shaken. Sailor, 51, was described as being at times incoherent and unable to hold a conversation. Attendees also reported angry outbursts and mood swings during the event. with one witness calling it “uncomfortable and extremely sad to watch.”.
That concern has now spilled into action from two clubs that know Sailor’s story as well as anyone: the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos. Representatives from both organisations have been raising funds so the former NRL and Wallabies star can be treated at a mental health facility. with one club representative saying some people feared he could end up in jail or dead.
The urgency is personal as well as practical. It is understood Sailor will attend Sunday’s match between the teams at Suncorp Stadium, and he has accepted the offer of help because he is not in a position to fund the treatment himself.
In March, Sailor’s situation was already tangled with the legal system and mental health. A number of his criminal charges were dismissed under mental health legislation. but he was warned by a magistrate he had to stay out of trouble. Court material shows he pleaded guilty to three charges, including resisting arrest, breaching bail and intimidating police.
The court heard Sailor admitted to resisting arrest after a night of drinking at the Illawarra Master Builders Club in Wollongong on December 5 last year. Documents described how it took nine officers to get him inside a custody area at a nearby police station. and that Sailor acted aggressively and “abused police repeatedly.”.
That earlier episode wasn’t isolated. While Sailor was on bail following an incident at Pappy’s Bar in Sydney’s CBD in November 2024. a magistrate later found the alcohol issues driving both events were connected to his mental health struggles. At Pappy’s Bar. Sailor allegedly became aggressive and agitated. and when asked to leave. he reportedly shouted at the bar manager: “F**king call the cops and see what happens. Do you know who I am?. You’re f**king done.”.
Sailor was cleared of all charges related to the Wollongong incident after magistrate Jennifer Atkinson found the issues with alcohol were related to his mental health. The magistrate also revealed he had been on medication for several months to treat both depression and alcoholism. Sailor was told to carry out a treatment plan with his GP to address his mental health and alcohol issues.
Just weeks after that warning, the State of Origin lunch appears to have added fresh weight to the concerns held by people around him. A person close to Sailor said he is flat broke.
The Daily Mail has contacted the organisers of the State of Origin event for comment.
Sailor’s life in rugby has been celebrated on the field for decades. and it is that contrast—between the legend’s past and the fragility now reported by those who saw him—driving the urgency off it. Affectionately known as “Dell. ” he represented Australia in both rugby codes and was the top try-scorer when the Kangaroos won the Rugby League World Cup in 2000.
He also made 37 appearances for the Wallabies, including starting in the 2003 World Cup final against England. His NRL career ended in 2009 after nine seasons with the Broncos, where he won four premierships, and two seasons with the Dragons.
The report also says Sailor is separating from his wife of almost 30 years.
For those trying to help him now, the message is simple: they believe he won’t get the support he needs unless he reaches rock bottom—and they fear that rock bottom could come in the wrong form.
Wendell Sailor State of Origin lunch Brisbane Broncos St George Illawarra Dragons mental health facility Suncorp Stadium NRL Wallabies depression alcoholism GP treatment plan