Wahesh
The Forefather of The Kennel
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Former Newcastle Knights playmaker Jarrod Mullen says he's confident his "body can hold up" if handed a second chance in the NRL.
Mullen's infamous four-year ban for illegal steroid use came to come to an end earlier this year.
However, the exiled star came under further scrutiny when he was sentenced to 300 hours of community service back in 2019 for supplying cocaine.
Having spent the 2021 season in the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Mullen is free now to return to the NRL.
"Obviously, it's been a long journey," Mullen told SEN.
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Former Newcastle Knights playmaker Jarrod Mullen says he's confident his "body can hold up" if handed a second chance in the NRL.
Mullen's infamous four-year ban for illegal steroid use came to come to an end earlier this year.
However, the exiled star came under further scrutiny when he was sentenced to 300 hours of community service back in 2019 for supplying cocaine.
Having spent the 2021 season in the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Mullen is free now to return to the NRL.
"Obviously, it's been a long journey," Mullen told SEN.
"To get that final email from the [NRL] Integrity Unit to say that they've cleared me, to wish me all the best, it was very surreal.
"Karyn Murphy, the head of the Integrity Unit there was good enough to ring me – she had heard about all of the good things I was doing up on the Sunshine Coast with my youth work and all of that.
"For her to reach out, give me a phone call, congratulate me and all of that, it was really good."
Mullen said his return this season at Queensland Cup level showed him just how fast the game has become since he last played.
"People need to think so fast on their feet, the young halves these days, most of them are very sort of structured I think – I'm not being critical of them – but they sort of don't play what they see and instead go with set plays.
"Playing the old-school type of way and obviously the left foot kicking could be a positive to a team.
"I'm sitting here trying to sell myself, but I at least think I could be a back-up for a team… I really do believe my body can hold up."
Asked if he had any opportunities in the NRL lined up, the 34-year-old said; "there's been a few nibbles, nothing too big at the moment".
"I'm just going to bide my time, I'm sort of in a win-win situation.
"I'm loving my time up here on the Sunshine Coast, and I can play for the Falcons.
"If I'm playing good enough here, with a good pre-season, transfer windows and all of that, if I'm playing good enough a team could reach out and take me then.
"I'm not putting too much pressure on it."
Mullen made his NRL debut in 2005 and scored 39 tries in 211 matches for the Knights.
He also represented the NSW Blues in 2007 for one match.
