You're given the opportunity to work under the greatest coach ever, a fresh start at a solid NRL team who could really do with someone like you. You're given the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone, leave the club who gave you a shot and rediscover the form that made you an international. And what do you do? Get yourself in to a bit of a mess with the law. Ah Russell Packer, why oh why. I'm not here to debate whether the judge was harsh or soft on Packer because we all know how shit the justice system is to put it politely, I'll keep it rugby league related.

The Newcastle Knights are a team where Rusty Packer could have flourished. They're a hard nosed unit who need a bit of punch, enthusiasm and ruthlessness that Packer would provide. Instead they have a criminal. The Knights have a moral duty to stand by Packer and his family in what must be a really tough time, but I can't imagine Wayne Bennett would be too happy. This has been on the radar for a few months now as they incident occurred late last year so you would imagine that the Knights would have been preparing for the worst case scenario. This now leaves them without a young prop and most likely have to promote a younger lad earlier than expected. There are no winners here obviously, but someone like Korbin Sims will benefit greatly and expect him to be playing prop come round 1.

As for Packer's career? Well given that murderers can be out on bail a few years in to their sentence, there is a possibility that Packer could find himself only serving a year or even less. Whether he has it in him to come back, bigger, stronger and fitter than before, we'll have to wait and see. The game doesn't wait for no one though so it could well be it for Packer ... let's hope not.

Another player who was in court recently is Reni Maitua who pleaded not guilty for assaulting a taxi driver. Maitua has asked that the case be dealt with under mental health legislation which is understandable given his state of mind at the time. While no excuse for his actions, anyone who was going through what he was can't be 100% accountable for their actions as the inner demons tend to bring out the worst in people.

Brad Fitler playing in the Nines? Who cares! None of my hard earned money that went towards that ticket would be used to watch Brad Fitler play. No one wants to see you lace up the boots again mate, we wanna see the superstars of today and the young blokes who ooze excitement and flair. You won't be able to keep up which makes this stink of a publicity stunt.

Jamal Idris is now a Penrith Panther which is a feel good move. Idris wants to be closer to his ill mother in NSW and it appears that all parties involved end up pretty happy. Obviously the big winners are Penrith who now have a massive threat out wide in Idris and expect Phil Gould and Ivan Cleary to get the best out of Idris (how many times have do we say that!?). The Gold Coast Titans would obviously be a bit gutted to see Idris go, but the get the solid Brad Tighe in return and no doubt a bit more salary cap space. Tighe will do a job for the Titans who have some fine young players who look likely to be given a chance, especially with a warrant out for Maurice Blair's arrest. For me, this move means one thing - plenty of game time for Brad Takairangi who could have a breakout year in 2014.

With Gus Gould and Ivan Cleary attracting players left right and centre, it appears that their doing a pretty good job of reviving the Panthers in rugby league's heartland. Not only do they now have Idris, they also have two of the best young back rowers going around and two experienced halves which are hard to come by. Here's a fantastic article by Andrew Webster outlining the changes in Sydney's West http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/plan-on-panthers-rising-higher-up-mountain-20140107-30flu.html