When Brett Finch logged onto an internet chatroom in November 2020, he did not know interstate police were watching on as part of their hunt for a national child abuse material ring.
Victorian police had identified a convicted pedophile who was using the “FastMeet” service to exchange vile child abuse material.
As a result of their investigation, they identified other users and their identities were passed on to police in other states.
Over the course of three months, the fallen former NRL champion sent seven messages to fellow users in which he detailed fantasies of having sex with young boys.
Many of the messages are too vulgar to print and he later told police he was on drugs and “twisted” at the time.
As Finch marks his 41st birthday on Saturday, he is facing the prospect of being jailed after he this week pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material.
Later this year he will return to court, where his legal team will make submissions on his behalf before he is sentenced, having already flagged that his mental health was a factor in his offending.
But having experienced the highest of highs during a stellar NRL career, he is now facing the lowest of lows.
Finch (left) and Billy Slater with the NRL trophy in 2009. Finch (left) and Billy Slater with the NRL trophy in 2009.
Following his retirement from rugby league, Finch’s life has been plagued by struggles with drug use, addiction and mental health issues.
In October 2019, Finch entered a mental health facility after an incident on a flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast.
Concerns were raised when he was spotted with a bloody nose.
While passengers later told The Daily Telegraph that he not abusive, they described him as appearing paranoid and how he refused to get off the plane.
He had to be helped off and fire and ambulance crews were called.
He spoke openly about his struggles following his retirement in 2013 and being unable to recapture the highs of playing first-grade rugby league.
The Dally M halfback of the year in 2004, Finch played in two grand final losses for the Sydney Roosters in 2003 and 2004 before winning a grand final with a star-studded Melbourne team in 2009.
Though that title was struck from the record books as a result of the Storm’s salary cap cheating
Replies
Im sorry I don't like it, this rubbish blog shouldn't even be on this great site.we need to close this blog down, it's disgusting.
Why? Can't hide away from the depths of reality even amongst the supposed sqeaky clean impression the NRL would like people believe exists but clearly doesn't.
Let's be honest here Shawn, you don't like many blogs!
Woods Royal Commission its more about who is not named its that rampant especially in entertainment and music fields. I was shocked by the so called distinguished list of those named.
PT, out of curiosity which media source did this come from?
Also, this isn't a criticism but it is somewhat of a quasi-duplicate to The Fong's recent blog on the same topic. So, maybe we've pretty much exhausted this topic until the court's decision later this year.
I hope we can continue to keep any discussions here relatively civil; that's all.
Can't we kill this Hoe, if people need to know this they can google it. Fong covered it!
Mental health is a current topic and I would hate to think where this blokes is at the moment. I went to a function last week where Paul Green was due to be one of the speakers......very sad day !
Why would you want to kill it ? The more discussion and awareness about this topic , the better. Do you wear New Balance shoes ?
This is a copy of Hoe's post on this blog.....you won't respect where I was coming from, maybe you will respect him.
PT, out of curiosity which media source did this come from?
Also, this isn't a criticism but it is somewhat of a quasi-duplicate to The Fong's recent blog on the same topic. So, maybe we've pretty much exhausted this topic until the court's decision later this year.
I hope we can continue to keep any discussions here relatively civil; that's all.
Ah the censorship police have arrived...can someone kill your stupidity and twisted logic?? It's a sad day when the site takes advice from you pops...
Pops stupidity seems to reach new heights regularly.. close the discussion why? only he knows the answer. The topic of Brett finch and Paul Green are not in the same ball park! To make comparisons and point to mental health demonstrate zero intelligence - Pops anything that shines a light on your twisted logic is a positive, your request is pathetic
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