Former NRL bad boy Danny Wicks finds support in quest to quash his ban Ex Newcastle Knight Danny Wicks leaves court. FORMER NRL bad boy Danny Wicks has found some heavyweight support in his bid to have his rugby league ban lifted next season. Wicks, who was outed for four years by the NRL following his conviction on drug offences in 2011, wants to play with Group 2 club Lower Clarence next season. But currently he is banned from playing until September 2014. It's understood he is set to apply to the NRL for clemency to have his ban lifted in time for the start of next season. Country Rugby League CEO Terry Quinn last week admitted he could see merit in such a move. "It's not our decision - it will come down to the NRL," Quinn said. But personally, I wouldn't have a problem with it. He's done his time in jail and been sidelined for quite some time now. I can see him being good for the game in that area, so I'd probably look favourably on it. But I stress, that's just my point of view. The NRL might see things a bit differently. Quinn was approached by Lower Clarence club officials last week about the possibility of Wicks being cleared to return to rugby league. He last played for Grafton Ghosts in Group 2 in September of 2010 while his case was proceeding in court. It followed his arrest for drug trafficking in December 2019 while he was playing for the ­Newcastle Knights. Wicks was subsequently jailed for three years and spent 18 months behind bars before being released on parole. Quinn indicated that Wicks may look to play rugby union next season if his rugby league path is blocked. It's not a matter for us. It's a matter for the NRL and the player to sort out, and that's what I've told the club," Quinn said. After a couple of seasons in the doldrums that delivered two wooden spoons, Lower Clarence is looking to re-emerge as a playing force next season. They have a new coach in Nathan Pettit, who took the job after negotiations with former Canberra and Wests Tigers utility Lincoln Withers fell through, and a new committee that includes a number of ex-players.