A recent engagement has brought renewed attention to a past legal issue involving former NRL player Liam Knight, fiancé of Channel Nine presenter Danika Mason. Reports detail an incident in 2016 where Knight was arrested for high-range drink-driving and exhibited unusual behavior during his apprehension. This event is now being discussed in comparison to a more recent on-air incident involving Mason.
Context: A Timeline of Events
October 2025: Danika Mason, a sports presenter for Channel Nine, announced her engagement to former NRL player Liam Knight. The couple shared photos from their holiday in Sardinia where Knight proposed. Knight had previously joined Super League club Hull FC.
March 2016: Liam Knight, then a front-rower for the Manly Sea Eagles, was arrested for high-range drink-driving. Reports from this period indicate that upon his arrest, Knight sprayed an insect repellent, Aerogard, into his own mouth.
Post-2016 Incidents: Knight has faced other challenges, including struggles with prescription drugs and alcohol following a knee injury in 2022. He underwent a 28-day rehabilitation program at Foundation House.
Recent On-Air Incident: In the week preceding the engagement news, Danika Mason issued an on-air apology on the Today show. She admitted to having consumed alcohol before her broadcast on a Wednesday morning.
Read More: Katie Price's Husband Lee Andrew Faces Allegations from Ex-Partners After Wedding
Evidence of Liam Knight's 2016 Incident
The 2016 drink-driving arrest of Liam Knight is documented in legal and sporting news reports.
Arrest Details: Police arrested Knight for high-range drink-driving in March 2016.
Aerogard Incident: While being processed by police, Knight was observed to have sprayed Aerogard into his mouth. Official explanations for this action were not provided at the time, but it has been inferred as an attempt to mask the smell of alcohol.
Court Outcome: Knight appeared in Manly Local Court. He received an 18-month good behaviour bond and an eight-month driving ban.
Knight's Own Recollection: Knight has since spoken about his past struggles, stating, "To be honest, I can’t even remember the whole night, that’s how much of a mess I was."
Comparing Past Incidents
The current discussion frames Liam Knight's 2016 arrest and Danika Mason's recent on-air admission as distinct but related events.
| Feature | Liam Knight (2016) | Danika Mason (Recent) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Event | High-range drink-driving arrest | On-air admission of drinking before broadcast |
| Public Reaction | Legal proceedings, court outcome | On-air apology |
| Behavior Detail | Sprayed insect repellent (Aerogard) into his mouth | No unusual behavior reported during broadcast |
| Official Status | Arrested, charged, convicted | Issued on-air apology |
| Knight's Statement | Court outcome of good behaviour bond and driving ban | Admitted drinking prior to broadcast |
Knight's Broader Challenges and Recovery
Beyond the 2016 arrest, Liam Knight's journey has involved overcoming significant personal obstacles.
Early Life: Knight faced adversity from a young age, including the loss of his mother to cancer and periods of homelessness.
Substance Abuse: Following a knee injury in 2022, Knight reportedly turned to prescription drugs and alcohol.
Rehabilitation: He sought help and completed a 28-day program at Foundation House rehab centre.
Personal Reflection: Knight has described his past state, admitting, "I was there wasting space." He has since played matches for Souths and joined Hull FC.
Expert Analysis and Public Perception
While direct expert commentary on the comparison of these specific incidents is not available in the provided data, the reporting highlights the contrasting natures of the events. Knight's arrest involved a direct legal consequence and an unusual personal action, whereas Mason's situation concerned an on-air professional disclosure. The juxtaposition suggests a public interest in the past conduct of public figures and their partners, particularly when linked to alcohol.
Findings and Implications
The engagement of Danika Mason and Liam Knight has coincided with public scrutiny of Knight's past legal entanglements, specifically his 2016 high-range drink-driving arrest. The details of this incident, including the unusual act of spraying Aerogard, have been brought to light. This is being discussed in parallel with Mason's recent on-air admission of drinking before a broadcast. Knight's history also includes periods of substance abuse and rehabilitation, which he has publicly addressed. The reporting suggests that while Knight has faced and appears to be recovering from significant personal challenges, past incidents, like the 2016 arrest, remain a point of public record.
Sources Used:
Daily Mail Sport (Article 1): Provides detailed accounts of Liam Knight's 2016 drink-driving arrest, including the Aerogard incident and its comparison to Danika Mason's recent on-air apology.🔗 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nrl/article-15572963/danika-mason-liam-knight-aerogard.html
9Honey (Article 2): Reports on the engagement of Danika Mason and Liam Knight, including details of the proposal.🔗 https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/danika-mason-engaged-liam-knight/efba1ffc-8b1d-42e9-b33a-6fac377b676a
Daily Mail Sport (Article 3): Details Liam Knight's past struggles with homelessness, alcoholism, and drug addiction, referencing his drink-driving incident.🔗 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nrl/article-15184231/Liam-Knight-Danika-Mason-fiance-engaged-NRL-homeless-drugs-alcohol-rehab-drink-driving-Aeroguard-Manly-Roosters-Souths-Bulldogs.html
Article WN (Article 4): Summarizes Liam Knight's journey from hardship to his engagement with Danika Mason, mentioning his past struggles.🔗 https://article.wn.com/view-steel/2025/10/12/HowDanikaMasonsnewfootystarfianceLiamKnightcamebac/
Crico.Live (Article 5): Covers Liam Knight's journey, including his battles with addiction and homelessness, and his engagement to Danika Mason, reiterating the drink-driving and Aerogard incident.🔗 https://crico.live/how-danika-masons-new-footy-star-fiance-liam-knight-came-back-from-homelessness-and-a-battle-with-alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-to-find-love-with-the-channel-nine-star/
News.com.au (Article 6): Discusses Liam Knight's future plans regarding his rugby league career and his desire to return to Australia to be closer to Danika Mason.🔗 https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/danika-masons-fiancee-makes-stunning-call-on-rugby-league-future/news-story/e367eb958740b696292207b36849ed3b
