Penrith Panthers ace Dallin Watene-Zalezniak says he has forgiven the man that attacked him at a junior rugby league match at St. Clair recently.

The incident meant a lifetime ban for the attacker but DWZ was sorry for how it played out in the public eye.

“Obviously when someone grabs you by the throat you want to do something about it, but the way I have grown up with my beliefs, it was a no-brainier just to let it go and let everyone else deal with it,” the winger said.

“What kind of a guy would I be if I couldn’t forgive anybody? I’d be depressed, I’d be angry.

“I’m sorry for the way it came out in the media and the way he has been put down by people. It’s not what I wanted. 

“If I can forgive can forgive then everyone else can forgive him.”