Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has failed in his bid to overturn a conviction for drug supply over a cocaine deal that led to his assault. The 55-year-old ex-legspinner was a regular user of cocaine when he introduced his dealer to another man in April 2021. He knew the quantity of cocaine exchanged was valued at $330,000 but did not know the exact weight after being told the dealer wanted “a brick”.
Conviction and Sentence
In May 2025, MacGill was convicted of taking part in the supply of 250g or less of cocaine and sentenced to a 22-month intensive corrections order and 495 hours of community service. He launched an appeal against both the conviction and sentence in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, which was rejected on Wednesday. “The appeal is dismissed,” Justice Anthony Payne told the court, more than a year after the sentence was handed down.
Appeal Arguments
MacGill had argued the judge erred in determining the exact quantity of drugs the cricketer thought was being exchanged during the deal. He did not receive any of the $330,000 from the exchange but had $1000 of drug debts wiped by his dealer. The deal led to MacGill being assaulted in a dilapidated rural shed after his dealer stole two bricks of cocaine in a subsequent drug ripoff.
Life After Cricket
Once viewed as one of the world’s top spin bowlers, MacGill is now on JobSeeker while working as a casual cricket coach. He retired from cricket in 2008 after a career throttled by the sport’s greatest legspinner, Shane Warne, who was two years his senior. MacGill played 44 Tests, claiming 208 wickets at an average of 29.02.
