Former NRL star Brett Finch working at forklift training centre after child abuse material conviction

He was a household name with regular television appearances following a successful NRL career, but it fell apart when Brett Finch was convicted over child abuse material. Now his new life can be revealed.

Disgraced former NRL star Brett Finch pictured leaving his Ramsgate home with his lunch, on his way to work. Picture: Julian Andrews

Disgraced NRL player and commentator Brett Finch has started a new life post-child abuse material conviction, getting himself “back on track” by rising early each morning to work at a forklift training centre.

In a green work polo, shorts and carrying a lunch box, Finch looked every bit the seasoned tradie as he left his beachside Sydney rental unit.

The 42-year-old had previously been a recluse living off Centrelink, having unsuccessfully applied for 300 jobs after being charged with using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse.

But despite his attempts at a fresh start, the comments he made between November 2020 and January 2021 in an online chat group about his desire to have “threesomes” with “sexy” teenagers that led to police charges, continue to hang over the 42-year-old’s head.

Disgraced former NRL star Brett Finch pictured leaving his home with his lunch, on his way to work. Picture: Julian Andrews

Brett Finch at home Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Daily Telegraph can reveal NSW Police late last year charged Finch with breaching the strict conditions of his release, charges his solicitor Paul McGirr described as “bureaucratic madness”, considering how regularly he checks in with them at other times.

“On the anniversary of his sentence, for the next eight years, he’s got to check in with the police of his local area,” Mr McGirr said.

Finch leaves his home with his lunch. Picture: Julian Andrews

Finch looked every bit the seasoned tradie as he left for work. Picture: Julian Andrews

The 42-year-old had previously been a recluse having unsuccessfully applied for 300 jobs. Picture: Julian Andrews

“It’s alleged that on the anniversary of his sentence last year he hasn’t done that.

“He’s been dealing with the police at least 12 times throughout the year, updating his details and complying with his obligations.

“He’s complied with every obligation that he’s had and he’s been exemplary.”

Mr McGirr said Finch had not put a foot wrong since his NSW District Court case finished and was determined to get things back on track.

NRL star Brett Finch photographed with his lawyer Paul McGirr leaving the Downey Centre. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

He said he was doing so well, that the requirement he regularly report to NSW Community Corrections – formerly called Probation and Parole – had already been taken away.

“He’s done so well that probation and parole don’t need to see him … (they) have now suspended his need for interaction, because he’s doing so well,” Mr McGirr said.

“As I’ve stressed and as the Judge found, this man does not have interest in children and is not a pedophile.

“But now we’ve got to go back before the court, where I’ll be seeking he receives no conviction for this (latest alleged breach).

“Everything he’s doing is to get himself back on track. As the court found and I stress, the bloke is not a pedophile.”

Brett Finch playing for the Storm in 2013. Picture: Getty Images

Finch had a successful NRL career that included representing NSW in State of Origin, and making it to three NRL grand finals in his playing days with the Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and finally the Melbourne Storm.

But despite going on to forge a successful career first as a sideline reporter for Channel 9 and then funnyman for Fox Sports, his post-playing days were marred with mental health and drug abuse issues.

Finch played for the Storm. Picture: AAP

As well as Parramatta and other clubs.

Finch blamed his ongoing battle with drugs for him using online chat forums and expressing a desire to have sex with boys aged between 12 and 17.

“I’d love to be having a threesome right now with you and a sexy 16-year-old,” Finch wrote in one chat.

The court heard Finch denied having a sexual interest in children and rather was using the chats to try and track down drugs late at night.

NSW District Court Judge Philip Mahony described the offences as “highly depraved” but said he accepted Finch was remorseful, and handed him a two-year community sentence.

Finch is due to face Sutherland Local Court over the new alleged breach on January 23.