Titans NRL player Dan Sarginson has faced a Gold Coast court charged with assault.
Police charged the 24-year-old over an alleged incident with a bouncer at Burleigh Heads on June 24.
Mr Sarginson briefly appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.
It is alleged Sarginson pushed a security guard.
Mr Sarginson's lawyer Campbell MacCallum said his client had entered a plea of not guilty.
Mr MacCallum believes Mr Sarginson may have been targeted because he is a high-profile footballer.
"It seems to be the flavour to target these high-profile persons," he said.
"He initially was given an infringement ticket and then after, I think, it was found out he was playing for a Titans, a complaint was then made and formal charges were then laid against him."
The matter was adjourned for case conferencing and the former English Super League player is due to reappear in court later this month.
Mr Sarginson joined the Titans this season and is on the long-term injury list as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
