Ex-Saint Sam Fisher released from rehab after ‘role model’ stint

Ex-AFL star Sam Fisher has left rehab as he prepares to fight drug trafficking charges, with his lawyer saying he “hasn’t put a foot wrong”.

Former AFL star Sam Fisher has been released from a drug rehabilitation facility five months after his shock arrest over a cross-border drug trafficking ring.

The ex-St Kilda player had admitted being a drug addict, using 30ml of GHB daily as well as methamphetamine, when he was arrested and charged by police in May.

After weeks of withdrawal in a jail cell, Melbourne magistrate Bernard FitzgGerald gave him a chance to get clean, bailing him to an Arrow Health facility in Woodend in July.

On Thursday, Mr Fisher, 40, returned to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court where Mr FitzGerald amended his bail to allow him to leave the residential rehab facility.

Top defence barrister Dermot Dann told the court that Mr Fisher had made “outstanding” progress in the rehabilitation program.

“He’s gone above and beyond for that program,” Mr Dann said.

“He hasn’t put a foot wrong.”

The court heard Mr Fisher, who played 288 games for St Kilda from 2004 to 2016, became a mentor and “great role model” to others in the program.

Arrow Health staff will continue to support him on his release, providing him a home in Craigieburn which he will share with another former addict who has also successfully completed the rehab program.

The two-time best and fairest winner will still be subject to strict bail conditions, including a curfew. Picture: Rebekah Cavanagh

The two-time best and fairest winner will attend day rehabilitation programs on Mondays and Fridays, and has secured three days of part-time work with a telecommunications company from Tuesday to Thursday.

Mr Fisher will also still have to abide by a 10pm-6am curfew.

Other bail conditions include that he must not leave Victoria, only possess one mobile phone and provide clean urine drug tests.

Sporting a navy suit with black tie, Mr Fisher would not comment about his progress or the charges as he left court.

An earlier court heard how he had struggled with drug addiction and maintaining a job after hanging up his footy boots in 2016.

He is charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking cocaine and possessing drugs of dependence.

Victoria Police swooped on his Bay St home in Sandringham on May 18 after a tip from Western Australia Police, who had uncovered encrypted messages from Mr Fisher in the phone of alleged Perth drug trafficker, Julien Morvan.

Mr Fisher and Mr Morvan are accused of sending drugs and cash, concealed in whitegoods, between Melbourne and Perth.

Police allege the duo used the French patisserie, Eclair, in Hampton – unbeknown to its owner, who is Mr Morvan’s dad, Yves – for pick-ups of drug shipments.

Mr Dann told an earlier court that Mr Fisher denies the trafficking allegations, and would be pleading not guilty.

Mr Fisher will return to court in December.