Former State of Origin and NRL star Brett Finch has pleaded guilty to sharing child abuse material online.
Last December, 40-year-old Finch was arrested and charged with five counts of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse material.
It was alleged Finch and seven others were involved in a telephone service used to transmit child abuse material, leading to his arrest.
Finch was, at the time, charged with five counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material, before two fresh counts were laid earlier in 2022.
The former New South Wales and Sydney Roosters halfback pleaded guilty to one charge, as six others were withdrawn.
Speaking outside court, Finch's lawyer Paul McGirr told media the six charges had been withdrawn due to his client's mental health battles.
"We just as that everyone remember there's mental health issues at play, and we have to respect that at this stage," McGirr said.
"We're not going to say anything more before sentence and we know you'll respect my wishes and also my clients bearing in mind the mental health issues I've alluded to which he's get ongoing treatment for."
In 2019, Finch checked himself into a mental health facility after an incident on a flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast.
Finch made more than 300 NRL appearances in a professional career that spanned 14 years, including more than 50 games apiece with Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm.
He also represented New South Wales at State-of-Origin level, playing three games for the Blues between 2004-06.
After his playing career finished in 2014, Finch worked as analyst and sideline commentator for Australia's Channel Nine.
After pleading guilty, Finch will be sentenced next month.
