His drug addiction - which began on a Wests Tigers Mad Monday cruise three years ago - and his ripping off of charities to fuel his need for cocaine and gambling show just how far the NRL star has fallen.

THE DRUGS

In a stunning confession with ramifications for the Wests Tigers, Simona revealed he became a regular user of cocaine after a Mad Monday cruise three years ago.

He says he had never touched drugs before.

“There was about six or seven of us.

“We went to the toilets, and just snort a line pretty much,” he said.

LISTEN AS TIM SIMONA TELLS BUZZ ROTHFIELD ABOUT HIS DRUG ADDICITION AND HOW HE RIPPED OFF CHARITIES

“That was the first time I had ever touched drugs. From then on every time I would go out, I would start using it.

“When we went to the nightclubs it was usually in the toilets, or at a mate’s place before we went out you know, we would take it.”

Gradually it got out of control. Some weekends he spent as much as $1500 on drugs.

“I’d buy a bag - $300 a bag and that’d last an hour,” he said.

“I’d share it with friends and stuff. I’d buy five bags for the weekend. Spending money like that you don’t even think about it.

“I just couldn’t go out and be sober.

“It was supposed to be fun. Just hanging around with cool guys who would own businesses. Going out on weekends and having boat parties with girls.”

Considering the NRL’s drug testing, it was surprising he was never caught.

He confirmed he was tested as often as any of his team mates.

“I was never scared,” he said.

“Actually I’d been tested quite a few times, and obviously I knew when to take it. In the rep round when we had the weekend off I would take it or if there was a long turn around between games.

“I would take it on a Friday so by Monday I think it would be out of my system.”

According to his manager, Simona was also hanging around with the wrong crowd.

He grew up in Mount Druitt and kept in contact with old friends.

“When I went out everyone was pretty much on it and I just felt like I wanted to be a part of it.

“My family comes from a big church family. I felt if I wanted to be churchy people would think I was boring. That’s when I went from churchy to trying to be a cool kid joining everyone with drugs.”

THE CHARITY RIP-OFF

The NRL enquired into the deceptive sale of signed jerseys for personal profit.

Here is how it worked. Simona purchased Wests Tigers jerseys with his own money.

He would take them to training at Concord Oval and place them on a table outside the dressing room where merchandise is often left to be autographed by the players for fundraisers.

Once they were signed Simona took them home to be auctioned on social media.

He confesses to have done this up a dozen times and kept the money.

There was a time last year when his then girlfriend Jaya Taki was involved as well.

She advertised on Facebook: “Tim Simona has donated this 2016 signed Wests Tigers jersey for my charity The Sharlz Taki Foundation.”

On March 16 last year Simona sent a text message to his partner saying three jerseys sold for $500, $550 and $650.

His girlfriend replied: “Killed it. Team work baby. And sooooooo much lying.”

They even had Wests Tigers players posing with the jerseys before they were auctioned on social media for the Sharlz Taki Foundation, in memory of Ms Taki’s deceased brother.

Simona says to Taki in a text message: “50/50 remember lol.”

Ms Taki denies she kept any of the funds.

“I’m so ashamed of what I’ve done,” Simona said.

“It shows how low you’ll go to get money. One jersey turned into five jerseys which turned into like eight, nine jerseys.

“There are no excuses. All I can do is give them the money when I get back on my feet.”

October 2015

START OF THE RELATIONSHIP

Simona meets his girlfriend Jaya on Facebook and they begin dating.

March 2016

SIMONA BEGINS BETTING

Started his gambling spree on NRL games, placing 65 bets before he was caught.

April 2016

PERSONAL ISSUES

Jaya falls pregnant but they agree to have an abortion.

June 2016

A NEW LOW

Simona sells Wests Tigers jerseys supposedly for charity but shares the money with his partner. He admits he has been doing it for years.

August 2016

THE BREAK-UP

Simona calls off the relationship. Jaya goes on Facebook and writes: “Tim Simona - betting on your own games, cocaine, abortions and cheating.”

August 2016

BEGINNING OF THE END

The integrity unit sees the Facebook post and calls Simona in for an interview. He denies he bets on games. No further action.

November 2016

NRL STEPS UP HUNT

Simona’s now ex-girlfriend meets with the integrity unit and hands over her mobile phone with all the messages and proof of the betting.

February 2017

SIMONA RUBBED OUT BY NRL

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg informs Simona in a letter that his playing contract has been de-registered.

March 2017

SIMONA COMES CLEAN PUBLICLY

Simona admits to being a cocaine addict, gambling offences and ripping off charities.

THE FUTURE

Simona has been seeing a psychologist for three weeks for counselling.

We talk about his hopes of getting his life sorted. About possibly moving overseas to play rugby union in Europe.

There are a few encouraging signs. He is not blaming the pressure of being an NRL star.

He is not playing the depression card. He is at least taking some ownership.

“I just want to become a better person,” he said.

“The first thing I’m going to do is get the money I owe back to the charity. Maybe the fact I’ve been caught is a blessing. I can start fresh.

“To tell the truth and be trusted again. No more drugs, no more gambling, no more lies.

“Even if I could look back in 12 months and know I’ve actually done something about it.

“At the moment that means more than playing football.”