Former rugby league international Trent Merrin has made his first court appearance following allegations he stole cryptocurrency valued at $140,000. The 36-year-old ex-player is accused of illegally transferring Bitcoin from a friend's digital account.
Court Appearance and Charges
Trent Merrin appeared at Port Kembla Local Court on the New South Wales south coast but did not enter a plea to the charge of obtaining financial advantage by deception. His defence lawyer, Harry Lollback, requested a one-week adjournment, stating that some facts of the case were still being finalised.
The court granted the adjournment, and Lollback is expected to enter a formal plea on Merrin's behalf at the next hearing, scheduled for December 10. Merrin was arrested in November 2025 after a year-long police investigation and was subsequently granted bail.
Details of the Alleged Cryptocurrency Theft
Police allege that Merrin accessed the online cryptocurrency account of a 29-year-old man, believed to be a friend, and transferred Bitcoin worth approximately $140,000. The investigation into the alleged digital asset theft culminated in his arrest last month.
A Stellar Rugby League Career
The court case marks a dramatic fall from grace for a player once celebrated on the sport's biggest stages. During his professional career, Merrin was a formidable lock forward.
He played 13 State of Origin matches for New South Wales, contributing to the Blues' series victory in 2014, and earned seven caps for the Australian national team. At club level, he enjoyed significant success, winning the NRL premiership with the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2010 and playing over 150 games for the club.
After a five-year contract with the Penrith Panthers, he spent a season in the English Super League with Leeds Rhinos before retiring from professional rugby league in April 2021 at the age of 32.
The case continues to develop, with the next court date set for early December. The allegations represent a serious legal matter for the former sports star, contrasting sharply with his past achievements on the rugby field.
