Footy star Adam Elliott has praised his NRL club for standing by him after he was caught kissing a former teammate’s partner.
Elliott on Monday spoke publicly for the first time since being caught in an ‘intimate act’ with former teammate Michael Lichaa’s fiancee after a party last month.
Police allege Lichaa assaulted his long-term girlfriend Kara Childerhouse shortly after discovering the pair together.
Bulldogs second-rower Elliott largely refused to talk about the incident or potential fallout with the club after both the NRL and Canterbury deemed it a private matter.
Adam Elliott (right) has spoken publicly for the first time since the alleged cheating scandal
The trio were attending a housewarming party at Connels Point, in Sydney’s south, when Lichaa caught Elliott kissing Childerhouse on February 14.
In court documents obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, it was alleged Lichaa and Childerhouse had argued earlier in the evening after she accused him of being unfaithful.
The ex-Bulldogs hooker went to sleep but awoke at 4:30am and caught the pair in an ‘intimate act’, the SMH reported.
It is alleged he flew into a rage, assaulting his partner and smashing a window, causing deep lacerations to his forearm.
It is alleged Kara Childerhouse (left) accused her partner Michael Lichaa (right) of infidelity during the housewarming party in February
Lichaa was charged with common assault over the incident, but was excused from court proceedings due to recent hand surgery.
The couple had planned to get married last year, with Elliott to be Lichaa’s groomsman.
In Elliott’s statement on Monday he credited those around him for their support as he discussed his mental state.
‘I’m really lucky I have a really supportive club, supportive teammates and a supportive system around me,’ Elliott said.
Elliott was caught in an ‘intimate act’ with Kara Childerhouse (right), the fiancee of former NRL player Michael Lichaa (left)
‘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.
Kara Childerhouse (right) and Michael Lichaa (left) had planned to get married last year, with Elliott to be a groomsman
Elliott did not want to go into detail about how he had addressed his teammates in the aftermath of the off-field drama.
‘I dealt with it how I saw fit with my teammates early in the piece,’ Elliott said.
Pictured: Ex-Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa
‘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 current squad.
Senior Bulldogs players are adamant there are no lingering issues with Elliott.
‘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.’
Elliott insists he is back to full fitness after his 2020 season was ended by a shoulder injury in round eight.
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.
Adam Elliott (centre) has promised to pull his focus into footy for the upcoming season
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.’
The incident was not the first time Elliott has been punished by the club for his drunken antics with teammates.
In 2018, Elliott was fined $25,000 by the Bulldogs following his behaviour on Mad Monday in September at the Harbour View Hotel in Sydney’s Rocks precinct.
The player was charged with willful and obscene exposure and appeared in court along with teammate Asipeli Fine.