Simona returns to rugby league in Canterbury Cup

Former Wests Tigers player Tim Simona has made a return to the paddock for Canterbury Cup side Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles after three years in the wilderness following NRL de-registration for gambling on matches.

Simona was de-registered by the NRL on March 10, 2017 after the game's integrity unit found enough evidence to indicate he placed a substantial amount of bets on NRL matches throughout the 2016 season.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg indicated in a press release at the time that the situation was at the "high end spectrum" and that the now 27-year-old was unlikely to ever play in the NRL again.

Simona also received an 18-month good behaviour bond in the courts after he pleaded guilty to the selling of old rugby league jerseys through online auctions without passing on the full proceeds to the nominated charities.

"Based on the evidence we have identified it is very hard to imagine that Tim Simona will be registered with the NRL at any time in the future," Greenberg said.

"There is nothing more important than the integrity of our game."

Simona's return in the Canterbury Cup competition was approved by the NSWRL on July 4. 

He was a late inclusion to the run-on side for centre Brad Parker, who remains in the 19-man NRL squad for Manly's clash against South Sydney.