A former Wyong Roos player has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after being promised $7000 to sign a statutory declaration to lie about spiking the drink of former teammate Jayden Nikorima during Mad Monday celebrations.

Brad Keighran pleaded guilty in September to wilfully making a false declaration for material benefit “to help a mate”, nine months after Nikorima’s contract was torn up by the Roosters. The positive result to ecstasy, obtained during an NRL-approved test in September 2017, triggered an automatic 12-match ban because it was Nikorima’s second failed test.

Former Roosters player Jayden Nikorima. Credit:NRL Photos

Keighran was sentenced to a term of six months imprisonment at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday. The term will be served by way of an intensive correction order, meaning he will avoid jail by doing his time in the community. The conditions include not committing any further offences, being subject to the supervision of a community corrections officer and performing 90 hours of community service. The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

In the statement of facts, police alleged Nikorima's agent, Isaac Moses, and Tilda Khoshaba, a player-welfare coach, were then contacted about Keighran's role in Nikorima's appeal against the suspension.