![Finch outside court. Photo: AAP Finch outside court. Photo: AAP](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/180164150/a0f00f8c-f0db-4dc3-acd7-6132a8c32ce8.jpg/r0_212_4153_2556_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Former NRL star Brett Finch is due to learn his penalty for sharing child sexual abuse material.
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The 41-year-old is scheduled for sentencing on Monday after pleading guilty in August to one charge of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote abusive material.
Finch was arrested in December 2021 as one of eight men accused of being involved in a telephone chat line. Police allege they discussed sexually abusing children and swapped material depicting abuse.
The former NSW halfback is on bail ahead of sentencing.
Six other similar charges against Finch were dropped at a previous hearing.
Finch played three State of Origins for NSW and won a premiership with Melbourne Storm in 2009.
His crowning moment came in the 2006 Origin opener when he kicked a match-winning field goal for the Blues.
The 2004 Dally M halfback of the year played 270 NRL games and 60 English Super League games before retiring as a commentator with Fox Sports and the Nine Network.
Post-football life has been dogged by mental health issues and time in rehab, with Finch publicly speaking about his drug use and battles with addiction.
After pleading guilty to the criminal charge, his lawyer Paul McGirr told AAP mental health issues were at play in his offending.
"It is explainable to the position he was in at that stage, as opposed to the position he's in now receiving ongoing treatment for his mental health," he said outside court in August.
Finch is listed to appear at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Monday.
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Australian Associated Press