Footy star Michael Lichaa breaks silence on 2021 NRL scandal and forgives teammate

Michael Lichaa, a former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs hooker, has publicly discussed the 2021 scandal that upended his life and career. He said his then-fiancée Kara Childerhouse was seen performing a sex act on his Bulldogs teammate Adam Elliott at a party held at his home after hours of heavy drinking. Lichaa described his reaction as a violent outburst, storming back inside and punching through a window, an act that left him bleeding and requiring lifesaving surgery.

The incident followed a 12-hour drinking session at Lichaa's Connells Point home. The chaos that night culminated in a deep cut on his arm and substantial blood loss, prompting emergency medical treatment. Police charged him with domestic violence offenses after witnesses claimed he shouted threats, but the case fell apart when Childerhouse refused to testify and another witness withdrew mid-hearing. In court, Elliott acknowledged his role in the events and described the conduct as the worst mistake of his life. Magistrate Melissa Humphreys ultimately acquitted Lichaa of all charges, clearing his name after months of public scrutiny.

Elliott would go on to play another 72 NRL games for the Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights after issuing a public apology, though he suffered a torn bicep in May and underwent surgery. Despite the turmoil, Lichaa says he bears no grudges toward his former teammate and has forgiven him. He emphasizes that, with time, he has moved on from the episode and views it as a difficult chapter that is now in the past.

Lichaa, who retired from rugby league after 113 NRL games, including stints with Cronulla and Canterbury and appearances in Lebanon Tests, has rebuilt his life away from the field. He began a new career in the building industry and found stability with his wife, Jennifer, with whom he has a daughter. He notes that while the scandal disrupted his football path, it also catalyzed a shift toward a different life focused on family and work outside sports.

Looking back, Lichaa recalls that the fallout extended beyond the personal sphere. He was briefly held in a jail cell after the incident, and the memory of that night lingered as he faced scrutiny. Yet he stresses that the episode is now in the past and that he has learned to move forward. Since the ordeal, he has focused on rebuilding his life, and he says he has found purpose in his work and his family. He reflects that life can change course abruptly, but resilience and perspective can help shape a new path.

In the years since, Lichaa has kept a relatively low profile, but his story has remained a point of discussion within the sport. He highlights that personal turmoil does not define an athlete, and that recovery often involves rebuilding relationships, adjusting career goals, and embracing new vocations outside of professional sports. He says the lessons from the episode continue to inform his approach to life, including his dedication to his wife and daughter and his commitment to a constructive post-football career.