Dragons sack Dane Nielsen for bite incident

Nielsen came to the Dragons this year in an effort to resurrect his career after two disappointing seasons with the Warriors but his tally will remain at just two games for the club following an incident at a Cronulla nightspot in March.

A woman made a complaint directly to the club claiming she was allegedly bitten on the leg by an intoxicated Nielsen who was out celebrating the Dragons 22-20 win over the Raiders in round three - a match he missed through injury.

The matter was not subject to a police investigation but the club immediately stood Nielsen down upon receiving the complaint. The board conducted it’s own inquiry into the incident in consultation with the NRL Integrity unit before reaching the decision to terminate his contract. Dragons CEO Peter Doust confirmed the board’s decision in a statement released on Tuesday.

“This is an unfortunate circumstance for both Dane and the club,’’ the statement read.

‘‘The decision has followed a thorough investigation undertaken by the club and the NRL Integrity Unit as well as a hearing before the board of the St George Illawarra Dragons. Unfortunately Dane’s particular actions were in breach of his obligations and upon review of all information by the board of the Dragons, the decision was made that termination of his contract was the appropriate outcome. Whilst Dane will no longer officially be a part of the Dragons, the club has offered to assist him with any necessary support from an education and welfare perspective”.

At 29, Nielsen’s sacking just two games into a two-year deal with the Dragons could spell the end of his NRL career which stalled after he left Melbourne on the back of the Storm’s 2012 premiership triumph. Coach Paul McGregor had hoped his side would benefit from the State of Origin rep’s experience but Nielsen faced a tough road back to the Dragons following the emergence of young star Euan Aitken.

The move is a dramatic one for the Dragons who have a history of rehabilitating troubled stars. Fullback Josh Dugan has made his Test debut and reclaimed his NSW Origin jumper since being thrown a lifeline by the the Dragons after he was sacked by the Raiders in 2013 following a number of off-field incidents. The club has also resurrected the career of hooker Craig Garvey after he was sentenced to 300 hours' community service for assaulting a man at the Hotel Illawarra in February last year. Garvey was stood down following his conviction in September before being reinstated on an adjusted contract in December. The club has also drawn criticism and praise for it’s willingness to throw Russell Packer - who will potentially make his debut for the Illawarra Cutters this week - a career lifeline.