Former rugby league star Trent Merrin has made his first court appearance following allegations he stole a significant sum of cryptocurrency. The 36-year-old ex-State of Origin and Australian Test lock stood before Port Kembla Local Court on the New South Wales south coast.
Court Appearance and Charges
Merrin did not enter a plea during the brief hearing. His defence lawyer, Harry Lollback, successfully requested a one-week adjournment, stating that some facts of the case were still being finalised. The court has scheduled the next appearance for December 10, when a plea is expected to be entered on Merrin's behalf.
The former footballer was arrested in November 2025 after a year-long police investigation. He faces a charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and was granted bail following his arrest.
Details of the Alleged Cryptocurrency Theft
Police prosecutors allege that Merrin accessed the online account of a 29-year-old man, believed to be a friend, and transferred $140,000 worth of Bitcoin to himself. The specific technical details of how the account was allegedly accessed are yet to be fully disclosed in court.
A Stellar Rugby League Career
The allegations stand in stark contrast to Merrin's celebrated career on the football field. His professional achievements include:
- Playing more than 150 games for the St George Illawarra Dragons.
- Being part of the Dragons' 2010 NRL grand final winning team.
- Representing New South Wales in 13 State of Origin games, including the Blues' drought-breaking series win in 2014.
- Earning seven Test caps for the Australian Kangaroos.
After his successful stint with the Dragons, Merrin signed a lucrative five-year contract with the Penrith Panthers in 2015. He later spent a season playing for the Leeds Rhinos in the English Super League before announcing his retirement from professional rugby league in April 2021 at the age of 32.
The case has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, where Merrin was widely respected. The court will reconvene next month to hear the formal plea and potentially set a date for further proceedings.
