Ex-NRL star Brett Finch’s bail conditions eased to allow Uber Eats, Netflix access

Strict bail conditions limiting Brett Finch’s use of the internet have been relaxed. The retired NRL star has been charged with child abuse material offences.

Retired NRL star Brett Finch is feeling “stressed and distraught” after being charged earlier this week over allegations he commented on child abuse ­material in an online chatroom.

Finch has remained tight-lipped since NSW Police knocked on the door of his Sans Souci home early on Tuesday morning and charged him with five offences over his alleged actions in the online chatroom.

On Thursday afternoon he was supported in court by his father Robert as he applied to regain his access to apps such as Netflix, Foxtel Go, Uber and Uber Eats.

Strict bail conditions granted by police after Finch’s arrest limited his ability to use the internet.

Ex NRL player Brett Finch (right) leaves Sutherland Court today with his father Robert Finch. Picture: Josh Hanrahan

After convincing Magistrate Brett Thomas to grant a reprieve on some of Finch’s bail conditions, his lawyer Paul McGirr gave The Daily Telegraph a rare insight into how the NSW representative was coping.

“He’s terribly stressed and distraught,” Mr McGirr said outside court.

“As the magistrate said, he’s never been in trouble before, he certainly hasn’t had any convictions before.

“He wasn’t allowed to have any ­internet access or anything and, as the magistrate made a point of, (it is not ­alleged) he’s sharing things — he’s just commenting on things.”

When asked if Finch would be fighting he charges, Mr McGirr simply said: “Yes.”

Court documents state police allege Finch accessed the online chatroom on two occasions last November, twice last December and once in January 2021.

Many of the interactions occurred in the early hours of the morning, ­between midnight and 4.50am.

Police prosecutors raised concerns that Finch may reoffend or endanger the community if bail was relaxed, but Magistrate Thomas granted the alteration to conditions.

Under the relaxed bail conditions Finch can again access online streaming services, including Netflix, Stan and Amazon, and food delivery services Uber Eats, Doordash and Deliveroo.

He can also once again order Ubers with his mobile phone and read the news online.

Finch also now only needs to report to police once a week.

However, he remains banned from using any social media sites, contacting people under the age of 16, or to be in the vicinity of premises known to be visited by children.

The charges against the veteran of 270 first grade games appear to have cost any chance he had of returning to the media in recent days, with radio station SEN confirming discussions about him working with them had ceased.

“Well, Brett Finch did some work with us this year on 1170 SEN and we had been in dialogue regarding 2022 until yesterday,” Afternoons host Julian King said.

“Like everyone we are ­shocked and extremely concerned by those reports, and have ceased those discussions accordingly.”

Finch was one of eight men arrested as part of an investigation by Strike Force Hank and was not meant to face court until January 2022, but made the bail variation application this week.

FINCH SPOTTED WITH FAMILY AHEAD OF COURT FIGHT

Hours before he appeared in court, Finch had left his home accompanied by wife Elli Johnston and their two-year-old daughter.

Finch, 40, was seen out the front of his Sans Souci home on Thursday morning, two days after he was charged with five counts of use carriage service transmit or publish or promote child abuse.

Former NRL player Brett Finch outside his Sans Souci home. Picture: John Grainger

Brett Finch with his wife Elli Johnston on Thursday. Picture: John Grainger

Wearing a white graphic shirt, a black cap and dark shorts, Finch walked down the driveway accompanied by wife Elli Johnston, who he married in 2018, carrying their toddler daughter in his arms before bundling her into the back of the family car.

Finch – who starred in the NSW Origin team between 2004 and 2006 and also played for Canberra, the Roosters, Parramatta and Melbourne in his 15-year NRL career – was one of eight men arrested as part of the Strike Force Hank investigation by the NSW Police Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

Brett Finch and wife Elli Johnston. Picture: Instagram.

He was granted conditional police bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

The alleged five child abuse material offences involving Finch are understood to have last taken place in January, with other incidents allegedly occurring more than 12 months ago.

Finch’s solicitor Paul McGirr has stressed it is not alleged the former NRL star had shared any child abuse material.

The charges come in the latest in a string of off-field battles for player turned NRL commentator Finch, who has previously made headlines for his battles with drugs, alcohol and mental health issues.