Newcastle's National Rugby League season is in tatters before a ball has been kicked with a second player charged with alleged drug dealing duirng the off-season.
Second rower Chris Houston has been stood down after being charged with the alleged supply of ecstasy and cocaine, less than three months after his former teammate and flatmate Danny Wicks voluntarily terminated his contract with the Knights after being charged with serious drugs offences.
The news comes at a bad time for the NRL with the season less than two weeks away after the league had enjoyed a relatively scandal-free off-season and bumper trial crowds.
