- Valentine Holmes opens up about her white bag scandal
- The soccer star feared for his future after the incident
- He has promised to repay Billy Slater’s faith in him.
Valentine Holmes has vowed to repay the faith instilled in him by Queensland coach Billy Slater after fearing for his Origin future following the ‘white bag’ scandal.
The North Queensland star will play for the Maroons next Wednesday night for the first time since his off-field storm, when he briefly posted an image on Instagram last September of himself holding a white bag between his teeth.
Holmes claimed the video was a prank gone wrong, but the Cowboys and NRL integrity unit came down hard on the winger.
He was fined $100,000, of which $50,000 was suspended, and was also given a one-match ban.
Holmes led the North Queensland board to explain his actions and also underwent an educational programme.
Valentine Holmes has shared her biggest fear after the white bag scandal
Holmes thought his Origin career was over after posting this photo on Instagram.
The Maroons midfielder will play his 17th Origin match next week and said the ordeal was a big learning curve.
“It was a difficult moment for me,” Holmes said, recalling his moment of madness,” he said.
‘Last year overall wasn’t up to par for me and the Cowboys and I ended things badly.
‘I got the go-ahead to represent my country again from Mal (Meninga, Australia coach) after everything that happened.
‘That brought some joy and happiness back into my life.
‘I had to play my 20th test for Australia but it was a real rollercoaster and not something I want to go through again.
‘I feel like everyone makes mistakes and the only thing I could do was learn from it and try to be a better person.
“Hopefully other players can learn from that mistake as well.”
Holmes credited Slater for his support during the turbulent period last spring.
“A lot of people helped me during that period,” he said.
‘My family was there and the Cowboys handled it well.
‘Mal Meninga was huge. I only heard his voice when he called me and spoke, saying that he still wants me to participate in the Australian team.
The winger says he will repay Billy Slater’s faith in him ahead of this season’s series.
“I didn’t know how long they were going to suspend me and I missed the first test, but their belief in me really helped my confidence.”
‘I’m definitely grateful that Billy supported me.
‘Being in this Queensland team is something I don’t take for granted.
“It’s an honor to wear this jersey and being in this camp is always a difficult team to get into.
‘They have quite a bit of depth on the outside sides. For Billy to show faith in me and give me that Queensland jersey again for the first game is unreal and it’s my time to give it back to him and the Maroons team now.”
