Former Parramatta chief executive Scott Seward has been described as the man "pulling the strings" during the club's salary cap scandal, a court has been told.

Seward initially escaped without conviction for his role in the matter when he was sentenced in the Downing Centre Local Court in July. He had earlier pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining $221,106.50 from the Parramatta Leagues Club by arranging and authorising false invoices between November 2014 and June 12, 2015. Those fraud offences carry penalties of up to five years in jail, but Seward was given just a two-year good behaviour bond. The matter was back in District Court on Wednesday after police were granted an appeal against the leniency of the sentence.

Former Parramatta Eels CEO Scott Seward during a court appearance on Wednesday. Credit:AAP

Seward's psychologist, Dr Kaylene Evers, told the court he was "elated" at initially escaping without conviction but had spiralled into a severe depression after being notified of the appeal. She said there were days when Seward couldn't get out of bed or perform simple tasks.

The court heard Seward had been unemployed for a period of time following his departure from the Eels before getting a job stacking shelves at a Coles supermarket.