Knights prop David Klemmer has backed the club's controversial bid to sign Matt Lodge, declaring the Broncos forward should not be forever condemned for making a "terrible mistake" as a 20-year-old.
The Knights are in the middle of negotiations to bring Lodge to the club this season but his violent past has been tossed up by irate fans on social media as a reason not to with some threatening to hand in their club memberships if his signing goes ahead.
But Klemmer, who played with and against Lodge in the juniors and at Origin level in the Under 20's, claims the Brisbane prop has "paid his dues and deserves the chance to be able to look after his family" through playing rugby league.
Since being cleared by the NRL to resume his top grade career at the Broncos in 2018, three years after an assault in a New York apartment building led to his conviction, Lodge has given up alcohol, put himself through a university degree and become a father.
Insiders at the Broncos claim he has not put a foot wrong in his four seasons at the club and has been a leading in the playing ranks.
Klemmer believes his redemption should count for something.
"I know Lodgy well from back when we used to play with and against each other in the juniors," Klemmer said. "We played Origin Under 20's together.
"He was 19 or 20 when he went through a very tough time in his life but there aren't too many people who can go through life without stuffing up at some point and making a mistake.
"It was a terrible one he made as a young bloke when he thought everything was going to happen for him and took things for granted. No-one condones what he did.
"But he has done a whole heap since then to right the wrongs of that. He got some help and he's turned his life around since then and it takes a big person to be able to face all that and come out the other side.
"He's got his life back in order, he's got a young family to look after and support and he's back playing some good footy.
"They'll be fans who may not agree with the club chasing him but you put yourself in that position if that was your brother or your mate, you don't abandon them. He got into huge trouble for it but took some time out of the game to get himself right and he's paid his dues.
"Like I said, he's got a young family now so he knows what he has to do to look after them and protect them and that's what he's doing now.
"He'd be a real good addition to us because he's got some experience and they say he's been a real leader at the Broncos and he's definitely a quality player.
"The club is obviously chasing him and they know what type of environment we have here at the Knights with our values and think he would be a good fit here and I think they're right."
Meanwhile, AAP reports Brisbane coach Kevin Walters insists Lodge will wear Brisbane colours again despite the off-contract prop's links to an immediate Newcastle move.
Walters is attempting to revamp his roster, with Lodge's expected exit clearing much-needed cap space for last year's NRL wooden spooners.
Battling injury last season, talk of his exit has coincided with a return to form for the 25-year-old, who will miss Thursday's clash with Melbourne due to suspension.
But Walters kept a straight face on Wednesday when asked if Brisbane fans had seen the last of the controversial figure.
"I don't believe so. He is obviously suspended at the moment but we expect to have him back for the St George game in a bit over a week," he said. "At the moment he is still playing here and that's good for us. We're enjoying having him play and I believe last week against the Roosters was probably his best performance for the club."
Walters did appear to be saying his goodbyes to halfback Tom Dearden at Red Hill on Wednesday though with the pair back-slapping and shaking hands.
