Retired AFL star Sam Fisher has been freed from jail in favour of a residential rehab facility, as he awaits trial on drug trafficking charges.
The 39 year old applied for bail to allow him to deal with his drug addiction, after being charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs.
Fisher allegedly concealed one kilogram of methylamphetamine and 84 grams of cocaine while organising for it to be sent from Melbourne to Perth.
Officers searched his Sandringham home when he was arrested on May 18, seizing 13 grams of methylamphetamine and almost two litres of Butanediol.
Fisher, a past All-Australian and two-time St Kilda best and fairest, admits having a drug addiction but denies the trafficking allegations.
Prosecutor Daniel White said Fisher's offending could land him with a lifetime sentence, as he argued against his release in Melbourne Magistrates Court.
He alleged Fisher was the main offender in the case, after Perth man Julien Morvan was charged and then bailed by a WA court over allegations he paid for the drugs.
"It is Mr Fisher who obtains the drugs and onsells them and it's Mr Morvan who pays for the drugs," Mr White told the court on Tuesday.
"Mr Fisher cannot, on any count, be described as just a runner. He was, in the prosecution's submission, a principal offender."
Fisher's lawyer Dermot Dann previously argued it was in the community's best interests to allow him to undergo rehabilitation to address his addiction issues.
Magistrate Bernie Fitzgerald granted Fisher bail after finding his lack of prior convictions and the availability of residential rehab weighed in his favour.
He ordered Fisher be released on bail to go "immediately" to the rehabilitation centre from prison on Tuesday, escorted by a staff member.
Fisher's parents offered their family home as a surety, but Mr Fitzgerald agreed to release Fisher with a $25,000 guarantee from them.
He must abide by strict bail conditions, including that he complete the 90-day rehab program, undergo drug testing and abide by a curfew.
He will return to court for a bail variation after 90 days, where he may be ordered to attend another rehab or move to a residential address.
Fisher will face a committal mention on September 7.
Australian Associated Press
