NRL champion Brett Stewart admits to cocaine possession

A former NRL legend and one of the game’s greatest try scorers has made a surprising admission as he faced court for drug possession.

Retired NRL star Brett Stewart has pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine after he was spotted by police making an illegal drug deal on a suburban street.

According to the police facts, the former premiership winner was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and thongs when he was seen walking hastily towards a parked car on Eustace St in Manly.

Police became suspicious they were witnessing a drug deal when he got into the passenger side of the car and remained inside for less than 20 seconds.

NRL star Brett Stewart has pleaded guilty to cocaine possession. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Their suspicion was confirmed when they found a small bag containing 0.61g of cocaine in Stewart’s possession.

The former Sea Eagles captain plainly admitted to buying drugs when police approached him inside the Manly Club.

“I have a bag of coke,” he told them.

The part-time coach told officers where to find the drugs in his wallet and insisted they were for personal consumption.

Less than two months after the offence, the former fullback appeared in Manly Local Court to finalise the drug charge.

On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing a prohibited drug.

Magistrate Robert Williams found Stewart guilty of the offences but did not convict him.

Instead, he imposed a nine-month conditional release order that will require Stewart to abide by the law and not commit any further offences.

The 38-year-old will be restricted by the good behaviour bond until February 3, 2024.

The drug charge was a negative turn in publicity for the sporting star, who once made headlines because of his athletic ability.

The former Manly Sea Eagles star was handed a good behaviour bond. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Stewart made his NRL debut in 2003 for the Manly Sea Eagles, where he would go on to win two premierships in 2008 and 2011.

He played 233 games for the team in his 13-year career that ended when he retired due to recurring injuries in 2017.

During his long career, Stewart also represented Australia in international matches and played for NSW.

The fullback is the sixth-highest try scorer in NRL history.

Originally published as NRL champion Brett Stewart admits to cocaine possession