No looking back – that’s the mindset of Canberra forward Adam Elliott as he begins what could well be his last chance in the NRL.

Sacked by Canterbury with two years left to run on his contract after August’s infamous toilet tryst with his now-girlfriend and NRLW player Millie Boyle, the 27-year-old says he’s moving on after signing a one-year contract with the Raiders.

“Obviously you do learn lessons and you carry them with you, and I’ve learned some really valuable ones and important ones,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“But for me, it’s all about looking forward and diving into everything here … the boys have made me feel really welcome and I’ve formed some really good relationships.

“My life off the field at the moment is the happiest I’ve been so, for me, it’s just full steam ahead.”

August’s incident, where Elliott was caught kissing Boyle in the men’s bathroom of a Queensland restaurant and booted from the venue, proved the tryst that broke the camel’s back; he found himself in trouble for 2018 Mad Monday celebrations, also having an altercation with former Bulldog Michael Lichaa earlier this year.

The incident with Lichaa led him to seek professional help for alcohol issues, but Elliott said he had not discussed an alcohol ban with the Raiders.

Teaming up with Stuart

But once he knew he’d need a new club, Elliott felt teaming up with Raiders’ coach Ricky Stuart was a leading option.

“When everything happened and I knew I’d be looking for a new team, the Raiders were at the top of the list for me just because of the relationships I’d formed with the playing group,” he said.

“Everything I’ve been told about (Stuart) so far has been true … for me and my football, I’ll know where I stand with him, when he’s happy with me and when he’s not too happy with me.

“The fresh start has re-energised me and the boys are all keen to have me down here too. So for now it’s just head down bum up, work as hard as I can.”

Elliott played 101 games for Canterbury between 2016 and 2021, scoring 10 tries.

By Alex Mitchell in Canberra

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