One of the game's biggest names can thank some shonky work from a security company for saving him from unwanted headlines and a possible ban.<\/p>\n
The player punched a patron at a bar and the NRL integrity unit was given the matter to investigate.<\/p>\n
But high-ranking club officials got to the security company from the venue, who declared the player did nothing wrong.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As a result the case was dropped, much to the bemusement of several eyewitnesses.<\/p>\n
It's not the first time this player's club has had to step in to save him from off-field drama.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tough forward Liam Knight has given South Sydney a massive boost by declaring he plans to be back on deck after only a month of the new season.<\/p>\n
Knight suffered a torn ACL in July and had further surgery on the knee just before Christmas.<\/p>\n
The NRL's website has Knight out "indefinitely" while other sites have him missing half the season.<\/p>\n
But Knight is back in training with a vengeance and aiming at a comeback around round five or six.<\/p>\n
"I copped a cannonball tackle last July and had the surgery to repair the ACL," Knight told Wide World of Sports.<\/p>\n
"Then I had to go under the knife again to get a screw taken out in December but that was not as serious.<\/p>\n
"The doctors are pleased with my progress and I am working hard – I'm happy with how it's going."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Tigers have further added to their forward depth by signing Lebanese international James Roumanos from Manly.<\/p>\n
Roumanos, 23, made his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles last year, playing just one game late in the season.<\/p>\n
But Tim Sheens is a fan of the middle forward and he'll start his new career with the Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup.<\/p>\n
The Tigers have plenty of forward depth but over a long season, Roumanos may get a chance to add to his lone NRL game.<\/p>\n
![\"Bateman](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2022\/12\/476148\/pickerimage.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
There's no stopping the recruitment drive of Gus Gould's Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
They've signed a promising 15-year-old hooker\/lock from New Zealand, Albert Balchin, to a three-year deal.<\/p>\n
Balchin's dad is a former Junior Kiwi representative and the highly-rated youngster is destined to follow in his footsteps.<\/p>\n
At 94 kilograms and 178cm tall, he has the ideal size and mobility to play at either nine or 13.<\/p>\n
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"