A former rugby league player who once commanded a $1million paycheck stole four pairs of board shorts because he didn't have enough money to pay for them.

Brett Dallas, 44, appeared at Mackay Magistrates Court in Queensland on Thursday facing charges of petty theft.

He pleaded guilty to stealing the shorts, an SD card and a portable charger earlier this year, the Daily Mercury reported.

It is a spectacular fall from grace for the former State of Origin winger, who was once considered one of the fastest men in the NRL.

Brett Dallas (pictured), 44, appeared in the MacKay magistrates Court on Thursday facing charges of petty theft

The court heard how Dallas is now living on $150 a week and is sleeping at a friend's house after being kicked out of his girlfriend's home.

Prosecutor Brandon Selic told the court that Dallas stole the shorts because 'people kept stealing his'.

'He did not have the money to pay for them,' Mr Selic said.

'He was not going to go to his parents for help because he wanted to be able to work his life out on his own.'

Dallas had been receiving $75 twice a week from a trust but people kept stealing from him, the court was told.

When he announced his retirement from the game in 2007, Dallas had planned to move to Sydney with his then-wife Sally and daughter Ava to start an electrical business, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

During sentencing Magistrate Damien Dwyer ordered Dallas to pay $129.94 restitution.

Dallas shot to stardom at 18 when he became Queenland's youngest State of Origin player

The former State of Origin star was sentenced in the MacKay Magistrates Court on Thursday

Dallas was fined $600 before being discharged without conviction.

It is the second time he was been charged with stealing following petty theft.

On March 4 he was fined $450 and ordered to pay $516.70 restitution after being charged with unauthorised dealing with shop goods and stealing.

Dallas shot to stardom at 18 when he became Queenland's youngest State of Origin player after breaking into the Canterbury Bulldogs team.

He moved to the North Sydney Bears and spent the latter half of his club career with English club Wigan.

He had represented Australia in the World Cup in 1995.

He also made headlines when he was awarded the Buttercup Sprint Challenge at Botany in early 1993.