NRL: Packer released from jail

Russell Packer. File photo / Brett Phibbs

Former Warriors prop Russell Packer walked free from jail yesterday and could be back playing in the NRL this season with St George Illawarra ready to help the forward resurrect his career.

Packer was yesterday released from an Australian jail after serving 12 months of a maximum two-year sentence for assault. He was jailed for an attack in November 2013 during which he punched fellow New Zealander Enoka Time several times before stomping on his face in Sydney's CBD. At the time Packer was just one month into a reported $400,000/year contract with the Newcastle Knights.

His contract was torn up following the attack, and Packer was de-registered from the NRL, but now it appears the Dragons are willing to offer the 25-year-old prop a lifeline.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph have reported the Dragons are keen to secure Packer's services, but want to discuss a number of behavioural clauses before registering what is understood to be a three-year contract with the NRL.

An NRL spokeswoman told the paper the organisation will consider any deal for Packer from the Dragons, but any approval - if given - could take months.

"Under the NRL rules, we are obliged to consider any contract that is lodged by a club," she said.

"But at this stage no contract has been submitted."

Dragons recruitment officer Peter Mulholland said the club was yet to lodge a contract, but remained confident they would snare Packer's signature. "We have to wait for the NRL to come back to us on a few matters before we'll lodge the contract," Mulholland said.

"It's a matter of understanding the process and the procedures they want him to follow to return to the NRL.

"They are going to have to require certain behaviours and criteria to play rugby league again.

"We've got a good understanding of what they want, but he is only just out of jail and he needs time with his family. Until then, we are waiting on the NRL to finalise the contract before we'll do anything."