BEAU Ryan played a lot of footy with Tim Simona and believes the disgraced former star should be given a second chance, but not as a player.

Panthers boss Phil Gould has approached the NRL and his club’s board about giving Simona a chance to redeem himself.

Simona was deregistered indefinitely by the NRL when found guilty of betting on matches, which included opposition players and teams, according to The Daily Telegraph .

He was also placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond after taking cash from the sale of jerseys, money that was supposed to be donated to a children’s charity.

Round 20

However former teammate Ryan believes he deserves a second chance.

“Phil Gould is the king of second chances and that’s the beauty of our game,” Ryan told Macquarie Sports Radio.

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“People have got very short memories which is good and bad. I believe at some stage he does need a second chance.

“Whether that’s playing? Probably not, to be honest, I can’t see him playing on the field again.”

Beau Ryan played with Simona at the Tigers. Source: News Limited

Ryan backed Gould’s plan to get Simona back involved with rugby league as a welfare officer.

“I played a lot of footy with Tim Simona,” Ryan said.

“He was obviously battling his demons away from rugby league. From my understanding, on face value with Tim Simona, he’s a good guy and a hard trainer, he worked hard,” Ryan told Macquarie Sports Radio.

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However Ryan believes the nature of Simona’s offences would make it very difficult dor the NRL to welcome him back as a player. “The things that he did are inexplicable,” Ryan said.

“The thing that he did were on the verge of throwing games.

“There’s people that get banned for betting on themselves and I don’t condone any of it but when you’re betting on opposition players not only are you letting yourself and your teammates down, you’re letting the fans down.

“I reached out to him and he wasn’t himself. He was battling gambling problems and drug problems and we know the toll that can have on people.

“The people at the Tigers did their bit and the NRL did support him.

While supportive of Gould’s attempts to continue Simona’s rehabilitation, Ryan thinks a playing contract is a bridge too far.

“Gus (Gould) alluded to the fact that maybe he could register a playing contract,” Ryan said. “That’s a no from me. But I do believe he could be back in the game because we see what’s happened with other people, the list is as long as your arm and they can come back and contribute to our wonderful game. And I think he’s one of those guys.”