Former NRL player Brett Seymour’s wife alleges domestic violence and drinking problems

The estranged wife of former NRL player Brett Seymour has claimed he was abusive, violent and battled gambling and drinking problems during their relationship.

Seymour was once touted as a rising star, and played for the Brisbane Broncos, Cronulla Sharks, and New Zealand Warriors.

His former wife, Roseanne Seymour, has claimed to 9News that there was a gambling culture at the Broncos and said her husband lost “everything” during their marriage.

She also told Nine’s Danny Weidler she would hide from Seymour when she knew he had been drinking, and that she was hospitalised a number of times.

Five months ago, Mrs Seymour ended up in a coma in hospital, covered in bruises but not knowing what had happened.

“I ended up on life support, I did die, and was resuscitated in my own home," she said.

She said she was too frightened to go to police and claimed her husband did not even visit her in the hospital.

"I mean I can't believe he wasn't by my bedside when I woke up from this complete and utter nightmare."

In 2009, after being sacked by the Broncos and moving to Cronulla, a drunken episode cost Seymour his contract with the Sharks.

He ended up at the Warriors and then moved to England, where his ex-wife says his alleged drinking and gambling transferred to violence.

"He was extremely blind drunk and come into the house and just punched me straight to the ground, a big punch straight to the ground and I just fell to the ground, and the attack didn't stop there it was just bang bang bang,” Mrs Seymour said.

“He was ripping chunks of my hair out of my head, I can still recall the carpet, he was rubbing my head into the carpet and my scalp had carpet burn."

Another alleged attack resulted in two fractured ribs and Mrs Seymour said she sent an email to his family begging for help.

"Brett punched into me and pushed my face into the ground … I'm very sore and I'm hurt that he had abused me in this way," she wrote.

Mrs Seymour stayed with her husband but she says she lived in fear.

"It got to the point of me hiding when I knew he was out drinking, I would go upstairs and put the bed against the wall and hide,” she said.

Their last night as a couple was December 30 last year and police became involved when an alleged incident was witnessed by neighbours.

Mrs Seymour said he was smashing her head and strangling her as she begged him to stop.

9News requested an interview with Brett Seymour on a number of occasions, and today he provided a statement on the allegations.

"The allegations made by my partner are denied. I don't intend to participate in a trial orchestrated by the media,” the statement said.

“If those allegations need to be determined, they should be determined at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum.”