LET HIM PLAY: Former Warriors prop Russell Packer served 12 months of a maximum two-year term for assault and Broncos coach Wayne Bennett says he should be allowed to return to the NRL.

Rugby league's most respected coach, Wayne Bennett, has called on the NRL to end controversial prop Russell Packer's exile from the game.

Packer, who was deregistered at the start of last season after he was jailed for assault occasioning bodily harm, is reportedly close to doing a deal with St George Illawarra but questions remain about when any contract would actually be ratified by the NRL.

The 25-year-old was released from prison in January and is eager to return to rugby league, so he can begin earning money to support his young family.

"I've got no idea what we're trying to prove," Bennett said.

"I don't think anyone is in any doubt about where I sit with this.

"I think he should be playing now. He's done his time. He did a sentence which was 12 months."

Now back with Brisbane, Bennett signed Packer to play for him at the Newcastle Knights before the former Warrior committed his offence.

Seven-time premiership winner Bennett has nurtured and supported some of the game's troubled stars in the past, regularly getting the best out of the likes of Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd and Wendell Sailor, all of whom had checkered pasts.

The Dragons, who Bennett coached from 2009 to 2011, are understood to be interest in signing Packer immediately to bolster their under-strength forward pack.