FORMER NRL star Kevin Locke has opened up in a candid interview about his troublesome life.

From living on the street as a teenager, to reaching out to a stranger for help, it’s the most revealing conversation you’ll read all year.

All that and more in the social side of the game — NRL Confidential.

LOCKE’S HUMBLING START

Round 20

On his own and living on the streets at 15. His life was so unstable that he picked up the nickname ‘Suitcase’ because he’d rarely spend the night in the same place.

This is story of Kevin Locke’s life you have never heard before.

“At 14 I lived on the streets for a year,” Locke said.

“It was sad. There were nights where I’d be crying because I just wanted to be with mum and dad.”

Fast forward just a couple of years and the fullback is one of the most exciting fullback’s in the game.

After six seasons in the NRL with the Warriors, Locke left for England.

After a tumultuous time abroad, he left England.

While he was sidelined after shoulder surgery, Locke then turned to the bottle.

Living back in New Zealand after his wife, Netballer Chelsea Locke secured a deal with Central Pulse, the fullback was down on life.

That’s when he called Darius Boyd.

Broncos fullback Darius Boyd scores. Source: News Corp Australia

Having never met him and only ever played against him a handful of times, Locke picked the Brisbane star’s brain about rehab.

“It was tough for me financially and then my head started going,” Locke told The Locker Room podcast.

“I started going crazy. I felt worthless. Then I was going out drinking and my wife said ‘you need to pull your head in, you need to go to rehab, you need to go and get help’.

Player agent Gavin Orr joins Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover to discuss contract negotiations and re-signings.

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“So I rang Darius Boyd, I said ‘mate, you need to help me. I’m having a tough time with my wife’. I got hold of him through Alex (Glenn) and spoke to him on the phone. He spoke to my wife and if it wasn’t for him and I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for him, I’d probably have lost my wife.

“This was the day of the ANZAC Test. He rang my wife and had a conversation with her.”

KAYSA’S CRAZY KICK TRICK

We’ve seen this from the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne — but it doesn’t get old.

Eels utility Kaysa Pritchard is the latest player to slot a goal parallel to the posts.

@kayssssss #fluke #katut A video posted by Bevan French (@bevanfrench) on Jul 31, 2016 at 7:04pm PDT

CLEARY LEFT STARSTRUCK

Penrith rookie Nathan Cleary grew up watching Shaun Johnson tear teams apart.

Unfortunately for Cleary and his Panthers, Johnson did exactly that on Saturday when he produced another magic moment to score a try in golden point extra time.

The youngster still took to Twitter after the match to share a special moment that happened after the match.

Had to post.. Such a surreal feeling playing against someone that I idolised growing up as a kid. He's a freak 🙄 pic.twitter.com/rOYU0symO3 — Nathan Cleary (@_nathancleary) August 1, 2016

FRENEMIES

Paul Gallen and Greg Bird are mighty competitive but once the game is over, the good mates can put their differences aside and enjoy a coffee.

TRIBUTES FOR HENRY

Warriors back-rower Ben Henry announced his retirement from rugby league on Tuesday at the age of just 24.

The one-time New Zealand international was forced to hang up the boots after three major knee operations in the past four seasons.

The rugby league community took to social media following the news.

All the best Ben Henry😔😔top bloke on and off field. I'm blessed that I had the chance to play alongside you and learn a lot from u #oua — Koni (@konmanhurrell) August 2, 2016

Really feeling for him, so unlucky with injury And was such a freak of a player! Can be cruel sometimes! 👎🏻 https://t.co/W3pdsnBvTT — Clinton Gutherson (@ClintGutherson) August 2, 2016

Lucky enough to play with and against #BenHenry. Natural talent who could play any position. All the best in retirement bro! — Chad Townsend (@chadtownsend10) August 2, 2016

Sad to see Ben Henry forced to retire one of the good guys of the game. 😢 — Isaac John (@IsaacJohn_) August 2, 2016

Lucky to call Ben Henry at U20 and #NRL level. Great person... deserved better than injuries/early retire. Asset @NZWarriors off-field team! — Matt Russell (@MattRussellFOX) August 2, 2016

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