DRAGONS back-rower Joel Thompson believes former prison inmate Russell Packer has done more than enough off the field to earn a shot at redemption on it amid reports the former Kiwi International is facing deportation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Packer signed a two-year deal with the Dragons in October after being cleared by the NRL to resume his top-flight playing career.
But his future remains clouded by new immigration laws that could see his visa cancelled as a result of his assault conviction.
It’s the latest stumbling block for the 26-year-old who has had to jump through a series of hoops since being released from prison in January.
He made an on-field return with the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup in May, picking up the club’s player of the year award, but Thompson said Packer has made an even bigger impact off the field.
The pair graduated from Wollongong Tafe on Wednesday - Thompson with a Diploma of Community Service and Packer with a Certificate IV - and have forged a close bond through their community work.
‘‘I’ve had a fair bit to do with him and I think me and him have similar stories,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘For guys like Russ and myself, when you come from humble beginnings, you know how much people are struggling so you want to get out there and give back.
‘‘I’ve seen how much hard work he’s put in outside these grounds and in the community and he’s just a genuine good guy.’’
As well as completing his Tafe certificate, Packer has worked as a mentor for kids in the Score Dragons program that was named NRL Community Program of the Year.
Thompson was yet to speak with Packer about the development on Friday but admitted it would be a huge disappointment if he was forced to leave the club.
‘‘It would be [disappointing] because I know what work he’s put in,’’ he said.
‘‘As a friend and as a player I know what he does off the field and the type of person he is and it would be a massive shame to see him go. I haven’t had the conversation with him and it hasn’t been brought up here so I really don’t know where that’s at but he’s training out there like he’s going to be here and that’s the way we’re approaching it.”
Dragons CEO Peter Doust said the club is aware of Packer’s immigration status and has left the matter in the hands of is lawyers.
“It is the Department of Immigration's discretion. We respect the processes of the department in making the appropriate decision taking into account all of the material before them,” he said.
