Travis Burns hopes to shake off his bad-boy tag when he makes his debut for Hull KR on Sunday.
The Aussie hasn't played since last July after copping the third-longest suspension in NRL history. Burns, 29, got hit with a nine-game ban for a deliberate high tackle and a further three-game ban for a chicken-wing tackle.
The two ugly incidents, in the same game, saw him sacked by Penrith Panthers and Burns feared his career was over. But Rovers handed him a Super League lifeline and Burns is now desperate to prove that he isn't a cheap-shot merchant.
He said: "What's harsh to take is that I am the first player in the NRL to be found guilty of making an intentional high tackle. "I know for a fact that it wasn't deliberate. There is a fine line between dirty and tough but I would never go out intentionally to hurt an opponent.
"I am not a thug. I am a niggling player and that is how I play but there is a huge difference between a guy like that and a guy who goes out to hurt people." Burns has been training with Rovers since the off-season and is keen to finally play his part.
He added: "It is good to make my debut at home against a great side like Warrington. "It has been frustrating and I do not like watching from the sidelines but it just makes me more determined to do well."
Burns was brought in as a direct replacement for stand-off Blake Green, following his move to Wigan. Rovers have struggled without a recognised No.6, winning just three of their four games this term.
The pressure is already on Burns but he insists he can handle it, saying: "I will be ready mentally and physically." Nobody will be more desperate for Burns to be an instant hit than under-fire coach Craig Sandercock.
The Aussie, who coached Burns several years ago at Manly, has won only two games in 14, going back to last June. Chairman Neil Hudgell has told Sandercock that his future will be reviewed at the end of March.
Meanwhile, Rovers are refusing any further part in a new £8m stand development after it was painted blue rather than the team's red colours. Wakefield have been left with a six-figure shortfall following the collapse of their main sponsors.
The decision of Eric France Metal Recycling, who trade under JKL (Wakefield) Ltd, to enter into a creditors' voluntary liquidation has also hit Championship club Dewsbury.
Wakefield said in a statement: "Following a creditors' meeting with administrators KPMG, it appears highly unlikely that Eric France Metal Recycling will be able to fulfil their commitment of a significant six-figure sum as the main sponsor."