Maddison Studdon: Surprising move after NRLW star denies harassing ex

An NRLW star has indicated she could reverse her pleas after she denied stalking and harassing her ex-girlfriend.

Maddison “Maddie” Studdon has been charged with stalking and using a carriage service to harass her former partner following the breakdown of their relationship in early January.

The 31-year-old is accused of using a phone to harass her ex-girlfriend over three days.

The behaviour allegedly escalated to stalking between the afternoon of January 12 and the next morning, causing the ex-girlfriend to fear she would be harmed.

The former NSW Blues captain and Jillaroos player was arrested later on January 13.

She wore a white suit and had her hair pulled back when she faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

Her lawyer David Newham, who recently took charge of the matter, asked for time to have a discussion with Studdon on how to proceed.

“Could we have a few weeks to consider our position, notwithstanding the plea of not guilty that was entered?” he asked.

Magistrate Karen Stafford adjourned the matter until February 4 when she foreshadowed setting a hearing date for a plea traversal.

Ms Studdon did not comment as she walked out of court flanked by three supporters.

She is on bail under strict conditions which bar her from contacting the alleged victim, taking any alcohol or drugs unless prescribed, or using any social media platform.

An interim apprehended violence order has been taken out by police to protect Ms Studdon’s ex-girlfriend

The 31-year-old represented both NSW and Australia during her career, playing for the winning Jillaroo national side in their 2017 World Cup before captaining the NSW Blues the next year.

The halfback has played with the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, Cronulla Sharks and was most recently signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

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