Former NRL star Manase Fainu will be released from prison on parole on Friday after serving more than four years behind bars for the stabbing of a man outside a Mormon church dance.
The former Manly Sea Eagles hooker, 28, is expected to attempt to revive his NRL playing career upon his release.
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Fainu was jailed in 2022 after a District Court jury found him guilty of one count of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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The jury found he plunged a steak knife into the back of Faamanu Levi outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Wattle Grove in October 2019.
Manage Fainu will be released on parole on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian GillesSource: News Corp Australia
Fainu has long maintained his innocence and in 2023 the Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed his bid to quash his conviction.
Judge Nanette Williams sentenced Fainu to eight years in jail, however he will be released on Friday under strict conditions, having served a four-year and three-month non-parole period.
“Since January, (Fainu) has undertaken supervised day and weekend leave approved to support his transition back into the community,” a NSW State Parole Authority spokesman said.
“On parole, he will remain under the supervision of CSNSW Community Corrections officers and must comply with strict conditions, including that he does not contact, communicate with, watch, stalk, harass or intimidate the victim.”
Fainu was once considered one of the rising stars of the NRL and last played for Manly during the 2019 finals.
His career was derailed by his arrest but his brothers Samuela, Sione and Latu, who are all contracted to the Wests Tigers, have spoken of their desire to play alongside their older brother.
Manage Fainu in action for Manly-Warringah in 2019.Source: Supplied Source KnownManly’s Haumole Olakau’atu and Manase Fainu celebrate victory after the Parramatta Eels v Manly 2017 Holden Cup U20’s Grand Final. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
Should he return to the NRL, it would be one of the most stunning comebacks in the game’s history after Fainu’s career looked almost certainly over.
However it is not known if his contract would be registered by the NSWRL or NRL while he serves the remainder of his head sentence, which does not expire until July 2030.
Earlier this year, the NSWRL knocked back an application by Fainu to return to suburban footy with the Alexandria Rovers while on day release, citing the fact he was still serving a prison term and safety fears because he was wearing an electronic ankle monitoring bracelet.
Fainu was found guilty of stabbing Mr Levi, in the back, near his shoulder blade, during the brawl, which also involved four of his mates.
Mr Levi suffered a punctured lung and internal bleeding.
CCTV footage showing Manase Fainu jumping a fence into a Mormon church dance shortly before a wild brawl. Picture: SuppliedSource: SuppliedVictim Faamanu Levi suffered a punctured lung and internal bleeding. Picture: Shannon TonkinSource: Supplied
During his trial, Fainu said he went to the church dance with friends because one of his mates was seeking to collect money owed to him for a concreting job.
Fainu said he left the church grounds as his mates were being escorted out and apologised to a security guard for his friends’ behaviour.
CCTV played to the court showed Fainu, who had his arm in a sling at the time due to a shoulder injury, and his friends driving to a Coles car park and using a fire hydrant to boost themselves over a brick wall back into the church parking lot where the brawl occurred.
During his evidence, Fainu denied playing any part in the stabbing or the brawl, claiming he stood back.
He said he began back-pedalling because he feared for his safety when he heard someone yell “knife, knife”.