Ex-NRL star Michael Gordon's return to the training paddock remains in limbo after a NSW court again delayed his bid to finalise outstanding drug charges.
The former Gold Coast Titan was arrested during a cross-border police drug crackdown just over a year ago.
Gordon and wife Tess presented a united front as the former fullback arrived at Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday, expecting the matter to be finalised.
Despite the full police case being tendered, magistrate Geoff Dunlevy adjourned the hearing until January 27.
The 38-year-old former speedster, who played 261 NRL matches before retiring at the end of 2019, has pleaded guilty to a charge each of possessing cocaine and MDMA and not guilty to a charge each of supplying the same drugs.
Detectives seized a small amount of cocaine from Gordon's home.
Prosecutor Lachlan Kirby said text messages from Gordon's mobile phone showed he had supplied MDMA and cocaine on the night of October 31, 2020.
The adjourned hearing continues to stall Gordon's post-playing career.
Within hours of his arrest on November 21, 2020, the Titans released a brief statement confirming Gordon would no longer be working with them as a specialist coach.
His lawyer Michael McMillan said Gordon remains suspended until the drug charges have been dealt with and his post-playing career remains on hold.
A goal-kicking fullback, he made one State of Origin appearance for NSW in his long career, which included stints at Penrith, Cronulla, Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters.
A Tweed Coast junior player, Gordon joined the Titans before the 2018 season and played 36 matches for them before retiring.
He moved into an off-field role, under coach Justin Holbrook in the lead-up to the 2020 season, which included mentoring young gun AJ Brimson.
Australian Associated Press