He was granted easy access to rugby league stars, as well as free season passes, a steady supply of merchandise, and invitations to club functions.

Close family members were given permission to wait in the dressing sheds after matches, to participate in half time entertainment and to join the guard of honour that escorted players off the league field.

These were some of the "advantages" former fraud investigator Wayne Hancock received by fraudulently distributing dozens of free mobile phones to NRL players and officials, according to court documents.

Hancock, 45, was working as a fraud investigator for Vodafone when he gave out the mobile phones, mainly to players and employees linked to the Manly- Warringah Sea Eagles, between 2008 and 2012.

It is not alleged that any of the players, team officials or club employees were aware that the phones had been obtained fraudulently.