Dan Sarginson

Police had charged the 24-year-old, who left the Cherry and Whites during the off-season to join the NRL, over an alleged incident with a member of door staff at premises in the Burleigh Heads area of Gold Coast, Queensland, on June 24.

Sarginson briefly appeared at Southport Magistrates’ Court on one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm in that he pushed the security guard.

His lawyer Campbell MacCallum said his client had entered a plea of not guilty, adding he believed Sarginson may have been targeted because he is a high-profile footballer.

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“It seems to be the flavour to target these high-profile persons,” he said.

The matter was adjourned for case conferencing and the former Super League player is due to reappear in court later this month.