00:00Officially, a free man.
00:04Yeah, and obviously excited.
00:05Jarrod Hayne all smiles as he left court today after his remaining sexual assault charges were formally withdrawn.
00:13I stayed true to myself the whole time, the whole process, and today is a bit of vindication for myself and my family and my loved ones.
00:21It's been six years since the football star's life was turned upside down
00:25when he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her Newcastle home.
00:30After three trials, two guilty verdicts and two successful appeals,
00:35he was released on bail earlier this month after those convictions were quashed.
00:40He spent two years in total behind bars.
00:45It's been a rollercoaster.
00:48The boys on the inside that stood by me, my mates on the outside and everyone that stood shoulder to shoulder with me, I appreciate that.
00:56In court today, the Crown said it won't be pursuing Mr Hayne for a fourth trial and his bail conditions were discontinued.
01:04It brings to an end years of legal battles for the NRL star.
01:08I thank God for keeping me sane through this season, not only myself but my wife as well and all she had to go through.
01:14Justice may be slow, but it eventually arrives.
01:17The two-time Deleham winner's playing career ultimately ended when he was charged in 2018.
01:23Is there any chance you'll return to footy?
01:26I don't think so, no.
01:27At 36 years old, a comeback now looks unlikely.
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