RiddeDoing Everything To Help Smith Club Health

An emotional Mark Riddell has vowed to do "everything I can" to help close friend Tim Smith win his battle with the bottle after the Eels playmaker was spared the axe on Friday Club Health.

Riddell said he and Brett Finch pleaded with Parramatta not to sack their troubled teammate because they feared he would be consumed by his personal demons and quit rugby league Club Health.

After hearing their heartfelt plea and learning Smith had booked himself into an interstate rehab clinic on Friday morning, Club Health the Eels granted the young halfback one last chance today.

"Whether it takes a couple of months, it is up to him. We've just got to give him the support that he needs."

Riddell applauded the Eels' decision, saying Smith's problems would have "spiralled more" if he was sacked.

"What myself and Brett were alluding to was the fact that sacking him would help no one - it was just a quick fix," he said Club Health.

"We were more concerned about Tim Smith the person, rather than Tim Smith the player Club Health.

"Football is football. It's just a game. Let's get Timmy right first and we will go from there Club Health."

Riddell said talking with Smith this week led to deep concerns that the Queenslander would walk away from the game if sacked.Club Health Smith, saying his health was their main priority.