Unexpected fall from grace for 90s NRL star

He was a 10-time Origin winger known for his speed. He represented Australia. Now he has appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court.

Former rugby league footballer Brett Dallas after leaving Mackay District Court on Thursday. Picture: Emma Murray

HE WAS considered one of the fastest men in the NRL and lauded as a hero for a 90-metre runaway try that helped secure the Maroons' 1995 Origin series win.

But 12 years after dropping off the scene following his retirement, Brett Dallas has re-emerged in Mackay Magistrates Court for petty theft for the second time.

It is unknown what caused the former winger's fall from grace.

Commanding a million-dollar contract at the height of his career, Dallas is now staying with family and friends and living off $150 a week.

Yesterday the 44-year-old former Mackay Brothers player pleaded guilty to stealing four pairs of board shorts, an SD card and portable charger in January and February this year and was captured on CCTV footage both times.

"He was ashamed of himself for stealing the items but he had been kicked out of his girlfriend's place and was currently staying with a friend," prosecutor Brandon Selic said.

The court heard Dallas had also been staying with his parents in Mackay.

It is a far cry from the life he had planned after announcing his retirement in January 2007 when he said he wanted to settle in Sydney with his young family and pursue business interests.

"He said he needed the clothes because people kept stealing his and he did not have the money to pay for them," Mr Selic said.

"He was not going to go to his parents for help because he wanted to be able to work his life out on his own."

The court heard Dallas was paid money from a trust but he told police that people kept stealing his cash.

"It's $75 twice a week," self-represented Dallas said of the trust payments.

Dallas was considered one of the princes of pace of the 90s, catching attention when he won the Buttercup Sprint Challenge at Botany in early 1993 after joining the Canterbury Bulldogs.

When he was just 18, the flame-haired speedster became Queensland's then-youngest State of Origin player. He went on to make 10 appearances for the Maroons between 1993 and 1997.

He also represented Australia in the World Cup making his international debut in 1995 and spent four years with North Sydney before joining English Super League club Wigan for seven seasons.

Dallas was also dealt with on March 4 for unauthorised dealing with shop goods and stealing when he was fined $450 and ordered to pay $516.70 restitution.

He was meant to appear in court on the latest charges on Wednesday but he failed to show up and a warrant was issued to lie on the file until yesterday, when he was assessed by mental health.

"Mr Dallas you obviously know that if you need some assistance there's plenty of people you can reach out to," Magistrate Damien Dwyer said.

"Yes I will, your honour," Dallas said.

He was fined $600 and must pay $129.94 restitution. Convictions were not recorded.

Originally published as Unexpected fall from grace for 90s NRL star