Former Newcastle Knights star Jarrod Mullen has been sentenced to 300 hours of community service for supplying cocaine in 2018.

Key points: The magistrate attributed Mullen's rehabilitation efforts when giving him a three-year community corrections order instead of a custodial sentence

The magistrate attributed Mullen's rehabilitation efforts when giving him a three-year community corrections order instead of a custodial sentence Mullen's lawyer said the ex-NRL star has addressed his ADHD, depression and anxiety which were underlying his drug addiction

Mullen's lawyer said the ex-NRL star has addressed his ADHD, depression and anxiety which were underlying his drug addiction In December 2019 Mullen pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty last December in Newcastle Local Court to one count of supplying cocaine.

He admitted that his life had spiralled out of control after his career ended, and that he started using cocaine on a daily basis.

Mullen faced Wollongong Local Court supported by his family and pregnant wife, who is expecting their first child next week.

Magistrate Jillian Kiely expressed concern about the level of Mullen's drug use and referred to an overdose in December 2018 where he was found unconscious on his parents' couch after using drugs over a three-day period.

The crown prosecutor indicated the 39 grams of cocaine, which was purchased by Mullen over a seven-day period, is 13 times the trafficable quantity.

Magistrate Kiely pointed to Mullen's rehabilitation efforts, including attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings and regularly seeing a psychologist, in sparing him a custodial sentence.

He was handed a three-year community corrections order that will require him to carry out 300 hours of community service.

Mullen arrested amid probe into drug syndicate

The former Knights playmaker was arrested at his Wollongong home last May as part of a police investigation into a drug syndicate operating across Newcastle and the Lake Macquarie region.

Jarrod Mullen playing for the Knights at Hunter Stadium in 2016. ( AAP: Paul Miller )

Mullen's lawyer, Paul McGirr, told the court his client's situation was the story of an NRL player who played at the top level of the game and was seen as the successor to all-time great, Andrew Johns, but never rose to the occasion.

He admitted Mullen had an acute drug problem at the time of the offence but said he had has since addressed the underlying issues, which included ADHD, depression and anxiety.

He said his client had experienced a dramatic fall from grace and had "hit rock bottom" after being banned from the NRL in 2017 after testing positive to steroids.

Mr McGirr said Mullen was engaged as an unskilled labourer but also studying at TAFE with an eye to becoming a mentor to young children taking up rugby league.

Speaking outside of court, Mr McGirr confirmed his client planned to return to the game when his four-year ban expired next year.

The former Newcastle Knight stands with his lawyer, Paul McGirr, who addresses the waiting media. ( ABC Illawarra: Timothy Fernandez )

He also described the outcome as a wake-up call to the NRL who need to look at pathways for players following their playing careers.

"In relation to rugby league players, how quickly they can be forgotten when they're injured and out of the game," Mc McGirr said.

"I'm putting the question to the NRL, that they should look to make sure people either have trades or some form of education after they finish the game, because the longevity of a player is less than five years."

Mr McGirr said Mullens wants to use his mistakes as a lesson for others.

"Jarrod's remorseful for what happened, and he wants to move on with his life and hopefully use this experience to educate other young kids," he said.

"He was a legend of the game and still is.

"He's made a mistake and he's put his hand up for it."