Michael Gordon not approved to coach league until court case finished

New South Wales Rugby League will reject any appointment of a former NRL star as a coach at a grassroots rugby league club while his drug supply charges are unresolved.

New South Wales Rugby League has warned the Tweed Coast Raiders against appointing former NRL player Michael Gordon to a coaching position while his drug supply charges are still before the court.

The state’s governing body made their feelings clear amid speculation the 38-year old was in the running to take the first grade gig at the Raiders.

Mr Gordon played more than 250 NRL matches with the Penrith Panthers, Cronulla Sharks, Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans before he retired in 2019.

A New South Wales Rugby League spokesman said Mr Gordon, his solicitors and the Tweed Coast Raiders were told last year that the governing body “would not approve an appointment of Michael Gordon to any coaching position with the club whilst the drug supply charges were outstanding”.

Michael Gordon joins Tweed Coast Raiders back in 2020 with fellow former NRL player Brent Kite.

The spokesman said any application for a coaching position for Mr Gordon at Tweed Coast Raiders would be rejected for as long as his court matters were ongoing.

A club representative had this week said Mr Gordon would be the senior grade coach but it is now understood Guy Lanston could be taking the head coaching role with Mr Gordon providing a background assisting role.

New South Wales Rugby League couldn’t advise if an assistant or helping role would be classed as a coaching role.

Mr Gordon is due to face Murwillumbah Local Court on January 27 on two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, to which he has pleaded guilty, and two counts of part in supplying cocaine and MDMA, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Michael Gordon is released from police custody at Tweed Heads Police Station in November 2020 after being arrested earlier in the day for alleged drug related offences. Picture: Scott Powick

He was arrested at his Casuarina home in November 2020 after a six-month investigation into alleged drug supply on the Gold Coast and in the Tweed.

It is alleged that Mr Gordon was part of a cross border cocaine syndicate.

When asked about the matters and his role at the club earlier this week Mr Gordon said he would not comment while they were before the court.

A representative of the Tweed Coast Raiders said the club would not be making any comment until the start of the season.