“Through these couple of months,there have been some tough times I had to go through. It made me realise how lucky I am with the family I have around me and that I’m able to live my dream as a job.

“One thing I don’t want to take for granted is playing footy and doing what I love. I was grateful to even be at training. I didn’t look at it as a burden,it was about being able to train and do what I love.”

Amone will make his return in reserve grade this weekend while his good friend,Jayden Sullivan,has been given first crack at the No.6 jersey against the Titans.

“I grew up with Sully and have seen him progress through the lower grades to first grade,” Amone said. “He’s been training hard this pre-season,I’m happy for him. There’s some healthy competition there and that’s what we like,that’s what we talk about all the time.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to earn my spot in that team. I’m very excited to get back onto the football pitch,to put my best foot forward and show people my potential and how good I can be.

“That’s what I want to do this year;show all the people who criticise me and talk down to me,I want to prove them wrong. And I want to prove my family and the people who stuck by me right.”

Amone’s high-profile lawyer,Elias Tabchouri,welcomed the NRL’s decision.

“The NRL integrity commission should be congratulated for exercising discretion in a manner that is befitting the case before it,” Tabchouri said.

“We don’t live in a country that has mandatory sentencing;every case at law is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Similarly,in any jurisdiction where penalties are imposed,discretion should apply.

“It goes to the heart of our democracy and the way the law is applied.”

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