It’s something Dragons recruit Corey Norman is well aware of after an unflattering video, that was first circulated in 2016, resurfaced just a week into his stint with his new club.

The NRL Integrity Unit confirmed it had considered, and dealt with, the matter when it arose three years ago and wouldn’t be sanctioning the 28-year-old a second time.

Still, Norman admits it wasn’t a good look.

“I really felt more sorry for Mary [coach Paul McGregor], the boys and the fans,” he said.

“It was a new start and I didn’t want to bring that drama here. Unfortunately it came here and I made sure I took the right steps straight away.

“I let Mary and the club know straight away so we could all move on from it. I dealt with three years ago so I had the full support of the club an that was big relief.” 

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It came as the Dylan Napa sex-tape scandal brought more negative headlines to the game in an off-season described as a “train wreck” by ARLC chairman Peter Beattie.

It was also an unwelcome reminder of Norman’s party-boy reputation that saw many view his recruitment as a gamble on the Dragons behalf.

He hasn’t found any trouble in the three years since that turbulent 2016 season, but he accepts the fact the video’s re-emergence has jogged some memories.

“It’s disappointing to see it all brought back up again,” he said.

“Everyone makes mistakes it’s abut how you learn from them and I’ve definitely learned from them and moved on.

“I’ve grown up and matured, all the things that come with age. It was annoying more than anything that it resurfaced but it is what it is.”

Whatever your thoughts, it’s impossible to deny the prodigious talent that makes him as lethal a playmaker as any when switched on.

It’s what made the Dragons so keen on his signature in the wake of Gareth Widdop’s shock decision to depart for the English Super League in 2020.

Norman was in his own state of limbo after being deemed surplus to requirements by Parramatta just a year after spearheading their charge to a top four finish in 2017.

It was a steep fall for the Eels in 2018 but Norman, who still had a year left to run on his contract, insists he wasn’t left bitter by his departure.

“It’s been no secret that I wasn’t in Parra’s plans moving forward and that’s football,” he said.

“I’ve had some good times at Parra and grown so close to the boys there and the coaching staff. It was a bit of a weird situation but it was one of those things, when it comes from the top, things change.

“I wasn’t bitter or anything like that, I just wanted to move forward and get on with it really. The Dragons sort of popped up out of nowhere and it was a bit of a no-brainer.

“Speaking to Mary he’s been pretty keen to get me down here for a while now and it’s pleasing to have a coach that keen to have you. 

“I spoke to Hunty [Ben Hunt] and Mary spoke to Gaz [Widdop] and they were pretty keen to have me on board as well. It’s such a quality side here so it worked out really well.”

His arrival in Wollongong was just another example of how fast the NRL recruitment merry-go-round can spin, but it could hardly have worked out better for Norman or the club.

With Widdop still on board, and Ben Hunt coming into his second year, McGregor will have three elite playmakers at his disposal in 2019.  

For Norman, who’s had multiple halves partners in his five years with the Eels, it's a chance to go back to his strengths, whether it’s in the No. 6 or at fullback. 

“We’ve been changing [positions] around a lot and that’s the beauty of having trials, no doubt we’ll be changing around there,” he said.

“I’ve said before my preference is to play five-eighth but I’ve played a lot of fullback as well. The biggest thing for us will be getting that balance right.

“Benny [Hunt] complements my game really well, he brings my running game out. I’ve probably lacked that the last few years so I’m looking forward to getting that back.

“When you come into a quality side your role becomes really easy, so I’m just looking forward to really simplifying my role and playing the best footy I can play.”