The cocaine cravings of Australia's footy elite

Greg Bird. Photo / Sarah Ivey.

The extent of a cocaine ring at the heart of the NRL has been laid bare in court documents that say players were calling up dealers almost once a week for a fix.

Shamed stars used code words such as 'bottle of wine' for a single gram of cocaine and 'football' for 3.5 grams, the documents allege.

In just five months in February 2014 the athletes requested the drug to be delivered to them no less than 20 times, it is said.

On one occasion Greg Bird called the head of the cartel in the middle of the day for a fix, less than 48 hours after playing at Suncorp Stadium in a State of Origin loss.

Bird was later described by drug runner Adam Surplice as 'blind drunk' and an 'imbecile', according to papers seen by the Courier Mail.

The papers were submitted as part of sentencing for John Touma, alleged ringleader of the Gold Coast drug ring, and ex-NRL star Matt Seers, a drug runner for the group.

Seers and Touma received four years and nine years in jail respectively after they pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, in the Supreme Court on February 7.

Drug couriers Surplice and Peter Kassiotes were also given four-year sentences.

Bird, who had charges of drug supply dropped, has been charged with receiving a 'personal quantity' of cocaine on July 11, 2014.

Prop Dave Taylor, who was among those requesting cocaine in texts monitored by the Crime and Corruption Commission, admitted possession of cocaine.

Also admitting possession of cocaine was code-hopper Karmichael Hunt.

Ashley Harrison, who had supply charges against him dropped, is alleged to have requested 'four bottles' of 'A grade' in the messages.

Beau Falloon, another to have supply charges withdrawn, is accused of having two grams of cocaine delivered.

Joe Vickery, who pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, had drugs delivered on two occasions after conversations with Touma.

Steven Michaels is accused in the documents of having drugs delivered to him at the Burleigh Hotel on September 20.

Jamie Dowling has pleaded guilty to cocaine supply and possession and was named in the documents as one of 11 weekly customers.

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