Canterbury's Adam Elliott admits he's lucky to be at a supportive NRL club after his pre-season drama, vowing to have his focus solely on football for round one.
Elliott on Monday spoke publicly for the first time since allegedly being caught in an intimate act with former teammate Michael Lichaa's fiancee after a party last month.
Bulldogs second-rower Elliott largely refused to talk about the incident or potential fallout within the club, after both the NRL and Canterbury deemed it a private matter.
But he did credit those around him for their support, after being asked how his mental state was.
"I'm really lucky I have a really supportive club, supportive teammates and a supportive system around me," Elliott said.
"I was able to focus on what I am here to do and the job I am here to do for this club.
"I am a Bulldogs man through and through.
"I love this place, that's going to be my focus moving forward."
The Bulldogs confirmed last week Elliott would seek help for alcohol issues, which the club would monitor.
Elliott did not want to divulge further details surrounding those, or how he had addressed his teammates in the aftermath to the off-field drama.
"I dealt with it how I saw fit with my teammates early in the piece," Elliott said.
"We have been able to put all our focus into playing footy together and supporting each other as a team."
Lichaa played 98 games at Canterbury between 2015 and 2019, and is a former teammate to more than 10 members of the club's squad.
But Bulldogs' senior players are also adamant there are no lingering issues.
"When he (Elliott) comes here we are united," Will Hopoate said.
"He comes here and rips in.
"He was here when things were happening. He still came in and was ripping in for the boys on the field and in the gym.
"We support Adam and we are united."
On the field at least, Elliott insists he is back to full fitness after his 2020 season was ended in round eight by a shoulder injury.
Re-signed on a three-year deal last August, Elliott;s toughness in the middle will form a crucial part of Canterbury's rebuild under Trent Barrett.
He made his return in Saturday night's trial 16-12 win over Cronulla, scoring the match-winning try.
"It was good to put my full focus into footy," Elliott said.
"I was lucky that once I started pre-season around Christmas I got a really good load through it.
"I tore my bicep and calf in the pre-season, it gave me a really good period to put a big focus on my shoulder."
Australian Associated Press
