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Former West Tamworth Lions forward Matthew Nean is fighting to overturn one of the harshest bans in country rugby league history, pleading for a second chance to play the game he loves.
Nean was hit with a 20-year suspension in 2016 after making contact with referee James Brown during a fiery Group 4 grand final.
That is despite footage showing he making the most slightest of contact with the official and appearing to be walking back to his teammates.
Initially offered an 18-week suspension for an early guilty plea, Nean rejected the deal and pleaded not guilty.
The Country Rugby League tribunal - operating under the now-defunct CRL banner - instead imposed a two-decade ban, preventing him from playing, coaching or even watching his children compete.
The punishment, due to expire in 2036, has drawn criticism for years. Fresh video footage of the incident appears to show only incidental contact with the official, fuelling Nean's claim the penalty was grossly disproportionate.
Nean walked past the referee and appeared to lightly brush his arm on his way back to his teammates
He was stunned when the referee immediately reacted and send him from the field
Nean was also banned from coaching and spectating rugby league, even his own kids games
His brother Sean, sent off in the same match, received a 30-year ban for a separate offence, adding to the controversy.
The case remains unresolved despite the CRL merging with the New South Wales Rugby League in 2019.
Nean missed the chance to take part in this month's Koori Knockout in his hometown of Tamworth, a cultural and sporting highlight for Indigenous players.
He has now written directly to NSWRL chief executive David Trodden, asking for a pardon to reinstate him.
'Everyone deserves a second chance. I've served nine years away from the game - that's almost half of the original suspension,' Nean said.
'I've reflected, I've changed, and I just want to play again, with my family, my friends, and one day, alongside my son. Rugby league has always been part of who I am, and I want the chance to give back, not take away.
'From NSWRL's point of view, justice was served, the decision made, and the rules and integrity of the game upheld.
'Now I am asking the NSWRL to lift my suspension on the grounds of compassion, time served, my dedication to local footy, and my continued love and respect for the game. I'm not asking for special treatment, but for fairness, and recognition of rehabilitation, values the code itself often promotes.
Nean hopes that a change in administration will allow him to appeal the decision and go to his kids footy games
'All I want is to be part of rugby league again, as a player, a coach, and a dad.'
Sports lawyer Paul Horvath says Nean has 'more than paid his dues' and deserves the opportunity to return.
'We want to see a fair outcome from a tribunal process for Mathew Nean, who is a passionate rugby league player, who deserves the chance to play rugby league again, both for himself, with friends and family, and with his children,' Horvath said.
'It's our (legal team) view, with two barristers including a Kings Counsel, we're collectively of the view that the 18 weeks that was offered if he would've pleaded guilty would've been a more than adequate penalty.
'We believed he had a good defence because the allegation was shoulder charging. What appears to me is minor contact by Mathew's head with the underneath of the arm of the referee, which was contributed to by as much, if not more, by the referee.
'A more than fair outcome is that he is allowed to return immediately and the suspension is lifted in its entirety.
'We want some hope for Mathew and his future. We don't want him to feel crushed. Everyone makes mistakes, but as long as you learn from those mistakes, which he well and truly has, it is your right to return to the community and participate.'
An NSWRL spokesperson said it was now a legal matter.
'The matter involving Matt Nean is in the hands of solicitors and under the circumstances it would be inappropriate for the NSWRL to comment.'
