RUGBY LEAGUE - DRAGONS
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Dragons star Benji Marshall hopes the NRL won't quash the club's attempts to sign Russell Packer when the wayward former Warriors prop is released from jail in January.
The Dragons are yet to confirm the signing of Packer, though it's understood the club has been in contact with the 25-year-old behind bars and are preparing to throw him an NRL lifeline.
Any contract for the Kiwi international - who was sentenced to two years in jail for assault in January this year - would have to be rubber-stamped by the NRL and would likely be subject to strict conditions.
The NRL refused to register a contract for Blake Ferguson to play out the remainder of the 2014 season with the Roosters following 2013 indecent assault conviction forcing him to wait until 2015 to resurrect his career. Packer may have to meet additional criteria and complete certain programs to satisfy the NRL that he is a reformed character.
Marshall said he would welcome his former Test teammate to the Dragons if a deal can be made.
"Look at all the people who've had second chances that have had misdemeanours off the field," Marshall said.
"I think it's probably fair to give him a crack. I know Russell really well and he's a great bloke.
"He put himself in a situation that he'll regret now and I'm pretty sure that won't happen again so we'd be happy to have him."
Packer would bring size and grunt to a Dragons pack that was regularly exposed through the middle against larger packs this season. Marshall likened Packer's presence to that of another Kiwi teammate, Roosters hardman Jared Warea-Hargreaves and said he 112-kilogram enforcer would bring the same intimidation factor.
"He's exactly like Jared," Marshall said.
"You hate playing against [him] but when he's in your team you love him.
"He's one of those players that, as soon as he crosses that white line, something in their head flicks a switch and they turn into a psycho.
"Then when he comes off the field he's humble, a really nice guy and a family man.
"You need someone like that who's imposing on the field, and if that creates a little bit of doubt in the opposition's mind he's doing his job."
After being written off as too small to match it with the competition's heavyweights during 2014, the Dragons could field one of the NRL's biggest packs if they can add Packer to their roster.