Sacked Knights utility Dylan Phythian is set to resume his career at Lakes this weekend after receiving the green light from the NRL to play in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.
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Lakes coach Todd Edwards said Phythian would be a welcome addition to the Seagulls’ squad having now served his 12-week suspension for a second positive drug test announced on March 27.
Newcastle RL chief executive officer Matt Harris confirmed Phythian’s clearance on Wednesday with top-of-the-table Lakes scheduled to tackle Souths at Townson Oval on Saturday, pending any wet-weather delays.
“He [Phythian] hasn’t missed a session with us since he left the Knights,” Edwards told the Newcastle Herald. “He’s a Lakes junior, a Lakes kid and an NRL player. We’d be mad not to use him if the opportunity arises.”
Three months ago Phythian was on the brink of returning for the Knights after multiple knee surgeries sidelined him for all but the entire 2017 NRL season.
But the second year of Phythian’s contract was terminated by the Knights after he twice breached the NRL drugs policy.
It’s believed the offences were for social-drug use.
Harris said Newcastle RL was given the all clear by the NRL this week after Lakes enquired about Phythian’s eligibility.
“We were given the official documentation by the NRL that Dylan Phythian is cleared to play from this weekend,” Harris said.
“We had to ensure the time served was correct because they are two different competitions, starting at different times.”
Edwards said it’s been a “tough” period for Phythian, but after “running water for the lower grades” at Lakes the 22-year-old was “really keen to get back out there”.
Another crack at NRL level isn’t out of the question either, with other clubs having already showed interest and the June 30 transfer deadline approaching next week.
