NRL star Craig Gower has again been embroiled in controversy, this time allegedly biting a man in a bar brawl.
The Penrith Panthers star was compared to infamous ear-biter Mike Tyson by security staff who witnessed the incident at Peppermint Lounge, Potts Point in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Gower, who was expected to regain the club captaincy he lost last year after a wild drinking binge at a charity golf tournament on the Sunshine Coast, allegedly fled the scene after coming to blows on the dancefloor with a male patron.
Witnesses said yesterday Gower and the man came to blows after the former Australian halfback allegedly "tried to kiss him, then bit him on the neck".
One witness claims Gower was "really drunk and all over the place, making a d . . .head of himself".
Bouncer Tarek Nassr said the unidentified man who was allegedly bitten had been dancing with a woman about 2.30am, when Gower joined the couple on the dancefloor.
"He kissed the guy first then bit him on the neck, so the guy punched him," Mr Nassr said yesterday.
Gower is understood to have suffered a bloodied lip as a result of the fight.
The alleged biting incident was the second altercation involving Gower and a group of his friends at the bar during the night.
Security staff had earlier separated Gower's party from four men after Mr Nassr claims "one of Gower's friends threw a punch".
"We gave them leeway to stay but 1½ hours later (Gower) was at it again," Mr Nassr told The Daily Telegraph.
"The guy showed me the bite mark on his neck, but didn't want to go to the police," the bouncer said. "To bite a person's neck, it's like he's Mike Tyson."
Panthers media manager Rob Weaver was unaware of the brawl claims when first contacted by the paper yesterday, but later offered comment on Gower's behalf.
"Craig has confirmed there was an incident on the dancefloor. He says another dancer was throwing punches. He and his friends left the club immediately," Mr Weaver said.
The club spokesman said no action would be taken against the star player until a formal complaint was received by the alleged victim or owners of the bar.
Gower is being reconsidered for the club's captaincy a role he lost after he was accused of groping the daughter of league legend Wayne Pearce at a charity golf weekend during the 2005 off-season.
Penrith coach Matthew Elliot is expected to announce the skipper on March 2.
