Banned Newcastle Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen sells investment

Just a week before his fate was sealed by the NRL, banned Newcastle Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen sold his Newcastle investment apartment for $640,000.

It had been on the market long before his heavily publicised ban for testing positive for steroids, which was confirmed as four years just this week.

No doubt he's thinking about heading overseas to see out his professional career, with most expecting at 30 years of age he won't be returning to the Australian game after four years out.

It was a happier time for Mullen when he bought the apartment, who shared the one bedroom unit with high school sweetheart Rachael Miller. 

Jarrod and Rachael retain a four bedroom Merewether home that cost $825,000 in 2011.

Mullen has played 211 games for the Knights since debuting in 2005.

Set in the heart of the Honeysuckle Precinct, the first floor apartment has one bedroom, a study and an entertaining deck with harbour views.

It was advertised for lease in January at $590 a week before its recent sale through Ben Robinson at Robinson Property.

He paid $482,500 for the apartment in 2006, a year after signing his first professional contract for the Knights.

Fast forward 11 years and the veteran playmaker, after a string of injuries, has been handed a four year ban by the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority.

It was suggested he appealed to the fact he wasn't seeking to gain a competitive edge, just repair his body after suffering a number of serious hamstring injuries.

He now has 21 days to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

He has sold at a buoyant time in the Newcastle apartment market, with many Sydney investors heading north.

Hotspotting's Terry Ryder suggested those who find Sydney a tad rich don’t have to go too far to find major markets with greater affordability and good growth prospects.

Meanwhile Newcastle newbie, Anthony Tupou, who has played three games for the Knights since signing a one year deal, has listed his Maroubra apartment.

The Newcastle born back-rower has $850,000 hopes for the two bedroom unit for its May 20 N G Farah auction.

It cost Tupou $491,000 in 2005. 

This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.