Sam Fisher in 2010. Credits: Wayne Taylor
Ractliffe said an analysis of the co-defendant’s phone found messages sent to a contact called “Fish” that talked about the ice and cocaine that were to be sent from Melbourne to Perth. Earlier messages showed they were discussing sending two pounds of drugs across the country on a printer.
Fisher is charged with trafficking a large amount of drugs and other crimes.
Police and prosecutors oppose Fisher’s offer to release him on bail because they argue the charges are serious and the case against him is strong, and they have concern that he will drown if he is released on bail, which which could put the public at risk.
“We believe the likelihood of recidivism or drug use is quite significant because of the research we have at our disposal and the amounts of drugs located through research orders,” Ractliffe said.
Fisher’s attorneys must convince the magistrate that there are exceptional circumstances to justify bail and that it will not pose an unacceptable risk to the community.
Defense attorney Dermot Dann, QC, said Fisher would plead not guilty to the traffic charges, but acknowledged he had a drug problem and needed treatment.
Dann said Fisher did internships with the private sector at the end of his 228-match AFL career, but that he had struggled to find meaning in his life since he stopped playing football, had suffered relationship problems and had become drugs.
“He recognizes his problems, he recognizes his addictions, he recognizes that he was lost,” Dann said.
A psychologist found that Fisher was engaged in drugs out of boredom with his life. He later diagnosed an adjustment disorder.
Fisher used ice daily until recently, the court learned, but had been accepted into a rehab program and hoped to start if bail was granted. Her parents had offered to put her house up as collateral, according to the court, and St Kilda and the AFL Players Association had pledged support.
Dann told the magistrate that his client deserved the presumption of innocence and was facing a long delay in prison until a possible trial. He said it was in the best interest of the community that Fisher get bail and treatment for his addictions.
The court learned that Fisher’s co-defendant is being held in Perth, after police intercepted a package containing $ 129,000 in cash that was addressed to a Melbourne address. Police in Western Australia then discovered the man’s alleged links to Fisher, according to the court.
FitzGerald adjourned his sentence to July 5th.
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