Paul Carter, Zane Tetevano and Liam Knight make Roosters the most intriguing story of the preseason
PAUL Carter had alcohol issues, Zane Tetevano was sentenced to jail and then there’s Liam Knight — they’re the signings who have turned the Roosters into a last chance saloon.
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CALL it the most controversial signing spree outside the Long Bay Pirates.
Paul Carter, sacked by Souths for alcohol issues.
And Zane Tetevano, sentenced to nine months jail for assault.
While as for Liam Knight ... well, he’s the fella who tried to beat a roadside breathalyser by spraying Aeroguard into his mouth.
And from Tuesday week, they all become Sydney Roosters.
With only a week until the NRL preseason gets underway, The Daily Telegraph has run the rule over the gains and losses of all 16 NRL clubs.
And undoubtedly, the most intriguing story is at Bondi Junction.
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A club which, having basically lost its entire 2016 season over one boozy Australia Day incident involving Mitchell Pearce, has now signed on a trio of NRL bad boys.
Yet Roosters CEO John Lee insists his club has no reservations about taking on the three players — each of whom has been warned this chance is likely his last.
Likely, because in the NRL you never say never.
But this is as close as it gets.
Already, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has spoken at length with all three recruits. And while no specific booze bans have been put in place — “we prefer to treat them like adults,” Lee said — there is no doubting the rest of League Land will be watching.
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“For some clubs, taking on a couple of players like this may be considered a challenge,’’ Lee said. “But we’re confident in our culture.
“Our coach Trent Robinson is also a terrific man manager which makes this much less of a risk.
“And clearly the Roosters have a history of rehabilitating players, too.
“We have two in the Australian squad right now — in Blake Ferguson and Jake Friend — who’ve done exactly that. This club is all about giving people a second chance.”
Still only 25, Tetevano was last year sentenced to nine months jail for assaulting his former girlfriend.
However, having had the sentence then reduced to no-time-served on appeal — and subsequently kept out of the NRL two years — the young father now gets a second chance following his stint with Roosters feeder club Wyong.
Carter is also off the grog and looking to atone having already been sacked by both Gold Coast and the Bunnies.
Knight, meanwhile, is ready to live up to the promise that led to him being selected for the NSW under-20s two winters ago.
Quizzed on the irony of signing the troubled trio given the club’s issues this year, Lee continued: “No one can hide from their history. And nor do we try..
“We’re real about what has happened this year and, as a group, we’ve learned from it.
“If anything, this squad of players is even more determined to move forward. It really is as simple as that.”
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And as for potential alcohol bans, Lee added: “They have to be their own men.
“Obviously Paul Carter’s stuff at Souths was related to alcohol and he’s already made it clear that isn’t a part of his life anymore.
“You also have to remember that Trent Robinson is all about personal responsibility. So we’ll be treating them like adults
“We’ve also got some wonderful role models here too.
“Take Jake Friend. He’s come through his own stuff to become club captain and somebody who is extremely well respected.
“But he’s also a guy who doesn’t suffer fools.
“That’s important.”
CLICK HERE FOR A GUIDE TO YOUR CLUB’S PRESEASON
Originally published as Paul Carter, Zane Tetevano and Liam Knight make Roosters the most intriguing story of the preseason
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