From NRL fame to legal shame: Andrew Frew’s injury-induced addiction and court no-show

A once celebrated rugby league winger turned to drugs and crime due to injuries, a court has heard, as the magistrate called out the former player in court for being a no-show.

Andrew Frew has had a long career in the NRL including in 1999 when he played for Manly against Melbourne. Picture: Ros Cannon

A once celebrated rugby league winger turned to drugs and crime due to injuries, a court has heard, as the magistrate called out the former player in court for being a no-show.

Former Manly, Eels and Dragons player Andrew Frew, 50, should have appeared last week for sentencing for recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime to the tune of $13,900 and failing to appear in accordance with bail conditions.

However, when he failed to arrive at Coffs Harbour Local Court last Wednesday, Magistrate Julia Virgo told the court his absence was “entirely inappropriate” and proceeded to sentence him.

Court documents state police found $13,900 in various packets believed to be the proceeds of crime when they pulled Frew’s car over in a roadside stop in Nambucca Heads on April 24, 2024.

Ms Virgo said in his absence: “It is clear that drug addiction does form part of the reasons why Mr Frew has been dealt with by the courts”.

“He’s undertaken criminal activity to sustain his drug use”.

“I understand some of the injuries he sustained led to his drug addiction,” she said.

Former rugby league player Andrew Frew leaves Downing Centre Local Court in March, 2025. Picture: Aymon Bertah.

Ms Virgo said she was “satisfied” with the “significant steps” Mr Frew had taken by completing a 12-week alcohol and drug treatment program.

She told the court his participation had resulted in “a substantial reduction in Mr Frew’s substance use”.

Despite Frew’s plea of not guilty to recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime on June 19, 2024 – it was later proved in his absence later that year on November 13.

Ms Virgo convicted and fined him $5,000 for the proceeds of crime charge.

She also sentenced Frew to a community corrections order of two years commencing from May 14.

No penalty was imposed for failing to appear.

In sentencing, Ms Virgo noted Frew’s current lengthy intensive corrections order of two and a half years after police found an assortment of drugs including methamphetamine and thousands in cash in his apartment on April 24, 2024.

He was fined $1100 for supply a prohibited drug less than indictable and sentenced to an aggregate term of imprisonment of two years and six months to commence on April 30, to be served via an intensive correction order.

The terms of the order include 250 hours of community service work, to complete any programs, treatment or intervention advised by a community corrections officer.

Frew was convicted by Judge Allen on April 30 at Downing Street Local Court, who imposed no penalty for two charges of possessing a prohibited drug and possessing or attempting to possess a prescribed restricted substance.

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Originally published as From NRL fame to legal shame: Andrew Frew’s injury-induced addiction and court no-show