Former AFL player Jake King has avoided conviction after threatening to break the legs of his ex-teammate's business partner, who he believed owed him money.

King pleaded guilty to threatening to inflict serious injury in a phone call, which was recorded by police, and also admitted to possessing testosterone, which was found at his home and business.

The court heard the threatening phone call related to a dispute between King's former teammate at Richmond, Tyrone Vickery, and Vickery's former business partner at a restaurant in Melbourne's east, Tony Mokdissi.

King's lawyer, Dermot Dann QC, said his client believed Mr Mokdissi had stolen $143,000 from the business, and forged Vickery's signature to buy three race horses.

Mr Dann said King was angry for his friend and "with mature reflection … different avenues should have been pursued".

King was recorded telling Mr Mokdissi over the phone: "I swear to God, I tell ya now I'll break your f***ing legs so I suggest you come and see me".

Mr Mokdissi replied: "I don't want to come and see you, I'm just afraid to".

King replied: "I don't give a f***, I'll come see you this week all right".

The 34-year-old was charged in July after being arrested at the South Melbourne tattoo parlour he co-owns with former outlaw motorcycle gang member Toby Mitchell.

Tigers champions showed King support

More than 30 character references were tendered to the court, including from Richmond greats Dustin Martin and Matthew Richardson.

Magistrate Carolyn Burnside described it as "powerful material" which vouched for his hundreds of hours of charitable work.

"Overwhelmingly the evidence ... makes it clear that you have a passionate commitment to your friends and other members of our community," Ms Burnside said.

"It's important though that this commitment and sense of loyalty doesn't cloud your judgement because clearly it did on this occasion."

King was placed on a 12-month good-behaviour bond and ordered to donate $5,000 to former AFL footballer Michael Long's charity.

"I'm just happy it's over and now I can move on from it," King said outside court.

King made his AFL debut in 2007 at the age of 23 and went on to play 107 matches for the Tigers.

He was forced to retire midway through the 2014 season with a serious toe injury.

Vickery, 27, moved from the Tigers to Hawthorn at the end of 2016, but announced his retirement from AFL last year.