In a game that’s often accused of giving second (and third, fourth, fifth…) chances to the wrong people, it warms my cold, cynical heart to see Jarrod Mullen back playing rugby league.
The former Knights half has been signed by Queensland Cup club the Sunshine Coast Falcons, after spending four years on the sidelines for using performance-enhancing drugs.
His time away from footy has been well documented, with Mullen having had a fairly substantial run-in with the law for supplying cocaine, as well as being treated for an addiction to the devil’s dandruff.
But after hitting rock bottom after overdosing in December 2018, Mullen has rebuilt his life to the point that Queensland Cup officials are “comfortable with Jarrod’s registration”.
“He has obviously made some mistakes which he has moved on from and we believe he can use those learnings to make a positive impact, particularly in the wellbeing space,” QRL managing director Rob Moore told the media last week.
It’s one of the rare occasions where such words are more than just empty platitudes, because Jarrod Mullen has a lot to offer.
Having made his first-grade debut at the tender age of 18 in 2005, Mullen was the first young Novocastrian to be given the tag of ‘the next Joey’ after Andrew Johns retired in 2007.
Mullen appeared on track to live up to the hype when he was selected to play for NSW in the opening match of the ’07 State of Origin series but he was dropped for Game 2 and never again wore the sky blue.
Ultimately, it was indicative of how his career in the Hunter was to play out – starting strong, before ending in disappointment.
Nonetheless, he was still one of Newcastle’s best-paid player – rumoured to be on close-to a million a season – when he was busted in November 2016 and sent packing from the club he had been a member of for nearly two decades.
That story alone is one that young players would do well to heed. Junior stars are told how few of them are likely to make it to the NRL, let alone forge a decent career out of footy once they get there.
But Mullen shows that, even if you do rack up 200-plus games, your choices can still have life-shattering consequences.
Mullen was the bloke who had all the talent and promise, who made the senior rep sides, who was banking serious coin, yet made a poor decision and was left to put food on the table by working as a labourer.
And that’s to say nothing of the first-hand insights he can pass on about the dangers of illicit drugs, which saw him almost banged up and – far scarier – nearly die.
His lessons have been hard learnt but by passing on this wisdom, he could help youngsters teetering on the precipice from making similar mistakes.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Of course, having played 211 NRL matches, including seven finals matches, as well as Origin footy, he’d have some decent pointers for his teammates on the field as well.
He is aware of this as well, having said a goal of his for this season is “to help the young kids come through and if they can learn from any experiences from me and (give) any advice they need”.
As for his long-term plan? Distant dream though it may be, the 33-year-old wants to get back to first grade.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a goal to play NRL but at this stage I’m not eligible,” Mullen told reporters last week.
“I’ve got to earn my stripes back through Queensland Cup and play some good football here and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Word is the NRL won’t consider allowing him to play until 2022, which I’m a bit miffed by – his four-year ban expired on Sunday, is another 12 months really necessary?
But it is intriguing that the Falcons are a feeder club for the Storm, where Cooper Johns – the son of Matthew and nephew of Andrew – is the back-up half.
So that would mean Melbourne’s depth at six and seven could end up being ‘the next Johns’ and ‘the next Johns’ (credit to my brother Matt for pointing that one out).
That said, given Mitchell Pearce’s recent turmoil, if Mullen were to have a strong season on the Sunshine Coast, there will inevitably be whispers of a fairytale return to the club where he played his entire NRL career.
Logic would suggest too much water has passed beneath that bridge and that perhaps both the club and player would feel it best to leave the past in the past.
But when it comes to second chances in rugby league, when has logic ever played a role?
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Mullen was on close to a million bucks in 2016, surely not.
TBH you would have to say that as far as Rugby league players go Barba has been treated differently compared to many others....
Editors want clicks
Larry1950
Guest
Seems an early & hypocritical approach to give a proven serious offender a second (third/fourth?) chance when the league rules out the guys awaiting trial on charges with similar penalties. Next thing there’ll be a call for Ben Barba to come back.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Nepotism?
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
I'm guessing Shiny Pete would bend the rules if Cousin Nick wanted Mullin in the tri colours. Just like he did when Cousin Nick demanded $BW play.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
And the Immortals brother who was outed for after hours activities with his mates. He tearfully apologised, said he regretted the incident and then continued on his media saturating ways.
Tony
Roar Guru
Let's hope that doesn't happen Andrew
andrew
Roar Rookie
Geez Barry i was reading yesterday that there's been a few rumblings about that, McInnes wants to play hooker and he could test his worth on the market. Mcullough's best days are behind him, i would hate to see McInnes leave if Saints sign an ageing hooker, one reason why the Broncos aren't fussed if he leaves.
1ETC
Roar Rookie
Well you do know we have an 'immortal' who was busted for using drugs during his playing career & was found trashed in an airport toilet yet was named an "Immortal".......granted he didn't deal but Mullen has done his time & good luck to him......pity the immortal didn't do his time!
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
No. We don’t need drug dealers in the game.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think he deserves another crack (excuse the pun).
Big Daddy
Guest
Exactly. You don't see the chairman of the board at the big Banks getting involved in everyday decisions. Sure you might see the board advising but 1 person getting involved in those decisions is fraught with danger.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep and my comment is not about liking PVL or not it's that his role is supposed to be a governance one, on an independent commission no less... Yet he for all intents and purposes appears to be the real CEO of the NRL. I'm pretty sure the ACNC frowns upon executive Chairs in their governance standards (particularly when it isn't explicit). At the end of the day if the board is basically management then you don't have a board, and that's before the role of commission to run the sport for the benefit of the whole game not just the NRL. If he's the right guy operationally that's fine, get him a real chair and a real board to operate under.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Mullen will do ok in the Q Cup, the Falcons are a strong side, whether he kicks on from there remains to be seen.
Big Daddy
Guest
Mushi, interesting point re V'Landys. I'm waiting with baited breath to see if they let Suali play before he's 18. If they do it makes a mockery of the rules.
mushi
Roar Guru
Socially yes, but in a sporting sense I'm not sure. The punihsment decisions around actual crimes is one to balance culture and brand damage. A sports "crime" like doping and supply is less around external perception and more the character risks as it goes to the team itself. It's not just that he was flaunting the peons of broader society it was that he was happy to cross the line within the gym or training field. rightly or wrongly the sports impact of being PED user is higher than assaulting someone (Mr Fifita please come to the witness silencing settlement aisle). It indicates that he doesn't have that, possibly unhealthy, view that there are different stricter rules for behaviour within the team. Like the honour amongst thieves concept. As a human being I care more about a Packer, as a sports administrator I would care more about a Mullen.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The list of players who were given a second chance in the NRL is and have taken that chance is lengthy , it's not rare at all. Some who come to mind are Wighton, Lodge, Packer ,AFB , Tetivano , Jake Friend, numerous players caught taking drugs, Ferguson , Dugan, Packer and more as well I'm sure. Mullen will be 34 soon and will just be playing the sport as a hobby. His case isn't unique , plenty of punters do all sorts of dopey things, with all the information you could ever want at your finger tips, as to how it could all go pear shaped. They seem to to self destruct no matter how much good info they get.
Tony
Roar Guru
Have you ever heard of the Millward effect? He's currently looking at McCullough so nothing's off the table :shocked:
Paul
Roar Guru
agreed, but the principle concerns me. I'd have thought the sport at that level's in serious trouble if ANY Club gave any thought to taking him on, given all the factors, ie age, on & off field track record, ability, etc. I'm glad for Mullen he has a dream to aim for - back playing in the NRL. If that helps him play better in Qld, or helps him inspire another player to go to the next level, great stuff, but a player would want to be the Don Bradman of Rugby League to make a comback after so long out of the top flight.