No but when a club has recently seen one of its brighter prospects lose his ability to walk, let alone play professionally, they probably want to support their players' back up plans pretty well. Playing footy isn't always the most important thing.
Good on the kid for realising making it in the NRL is tough and there's a chance he won't and wanting a plan B.
As for your crack about the Knights care about Tapine and his welfare: the Knights supported him through an assault charge, one where most people in the know thought he would end up in prison. The club also helped his family out big time when they were struggling. The kid himself said he couldn't wait to re-sign with the club because he wanted to repay them for what they did for him and his family. Didn't happen - and I don't think telling him he'd be playing the year in reserve grade (yet still releasing him as to not really punish him) was really harming his welfare too much considering what they'd already done for him.
Considering the Knights usually sack players as soon as they get into trouble Tapine if anything was given preferential treatment. The CM can say whatever they want about the Knights and their treatment of Tapine and they'll have some idiots lapping it up, but it doesn't really change how much support that kid actually had and frankly comparing the situation to an 18 year old throwing some eggs at a car is hilarious.