# Michael Greenfield (rugby league)

Michael Anton Greenfield (born 13 September 1985) is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played 2000s and 2010s. He played at club level for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the St George Illawarra Dragons, and the Melbourne Storm, in the National Rugby League (NRL), as a prop or second-row. He was a member of the Dragons' 2011 World Club Challenge-winning team.

## Early life

Greenfield was born in Liverpool, New South Wales Australia. He was educated at Westfields Sports High School, where he represented 2003 Australian Schoolboys. He started playing rugby league relatively late in his life, having previously played basketball.
Michael played his junior football for Ingleburn Bulldogs.

## Playing career

Greenfield started his first-grade career with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, for whom he played one NRL match in 2004. He then moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, playing in 24 NRL matches over four seasons. He signed for the St George Illawarra Dragons from the 2010 season, and later extended his contract through the 2011 season.
Greenfield was selected to play in the 2011 World Club Challenge on 27 February 2011 at DW Stadium against the 2010 Super League premiers, Wigan Warriors. St George Illawarra Dragons went on to win the game 21–15. At the end of the 2011 season, he was released from his contract with St George and signed with Melbourne Storm.
He made his Melbourne Storm debut in round 12 of the 2012 NRL season against the Broncos. During his time at Melbourne, he suffered an injury from a shoulder charge which was bad enough to prevent him from continuing to play.

## CFMEU Career

Following his retirement from rugby, Greenfield became a prominent figure within the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW branch, holding the position of assistant secretary. His involvement in the union has been marked by significant events and controversies.
As the assistant secretary of the CFMEU NSW, Greenfield played a key role in the union’s operations. His responsibilities included negotiating on behalf of the union members, advocating for workers’ rights, and participating in high-stakes discussions with construction companies and other industry stakeholders despite not having a previous career in the construction industry.

### Legal issues

Greenfield pleaded guilty to drug possession charges in 2019. He was arrested earlier that year along with two union organisers Nicholas Rekes and Simon Gutierrez during a police operation targeting drug distribution in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. He was accused of possessing cocaine, which he bought from his own officials.
In 2021, Greenfield and his father, Darren Greenfield, who at that time served as the CFMEU NSW secretary, were arrested and charged with bribery. The charges stemmed from an investigation by the trade union taskforce involving the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police. The Greenfields were accused of soliciting and accepting $5,000 kickbacks from the owner of Lin Betty Building Group, a Chinese construction company, in return for preferential treatment on building sites.
Darren Greenfield was charged with four counts of receiving a corrupting benefit, while Michael Greenfield faced charges of making a false declaration and two counts of receiving a corrupting benefit. The alleged bribery took place between 2018 and 2020. The Greenfields were granted bail with strict conditions, including surrendering their passports, curfews, and daily reporting to their local police stations.
In September 2021, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) suspended Michael and Darren Greenfield from the NSW CFMEU following these bribery allegations. This action was enforced by Chris Minns, the leader of the NSW Labor Party, to distance the party from the controversy and uphold its integrity. On July 15, 2024, Premier Chris Minns has declared that Darren Greenfield should be removed as the union’s boss while facing charges before the courts. Despite being suspended from the ALP, Darren Greenfield remains the state boss of the CFMEU. Acting Opposition Leader Damien Tudehope has urged Premier Minns to sever ties with the CFMEU. Premier Minns has stated that Labor will not take donations from the CFMEU other than affiliation fees and mentioned that further action would be taken if new information arises about the CFMEU’s NSW branch.
Greenfield resigned from his position on 12 August 2024 amid the allegations of bribery and corruption that were followed by media scrutiny.
December 2024 it was announced that the investigator for the CFMEU administration, Geoffrey Watson, SC, is looking into $30,000 a month in so far unaccounted payments that the NSW branch transferred directly to the accounts of former secretary and assistant secretary Darren and Michael Greenfield from 2021 to 2023. he payments were discovered as part of a broader investigation into union board resolutions to pay the Greenfields’ “reasonable legal expenses” in defending criminal charges over alleged corruption.
The monies sent directly to the Greenfields totaled about $900,000 and were on top of the $559,000 the branch paid to the Greenfields’ lawyers in 2022-23 and a further $3.15 million paid to their lawyers in July this year. Administrator Mark Irving, SC clawed back the latter payment after he took over the union in August.
In a letter sent to former members of the CFMEU branch committee of management (BCOM) this month, seen by The Australian Financial Review, Mr Watson said he was investigating the circumstances behind the $3.15 million payment, who approved it, and its purpose.
In December 2024 , father and son Darren and Michael Greenfield were successful in delaying the upcoming fraud charges case due to the High Court challenge regarding the administration of the CFMEU as to who was going to fund their defense team - themselves or use members monies. The Commonwealth lawyer did not oppose this and they have been granted a stay until February 18 2025
As reported in the national papers in February 2025 Mark Irving KC the CFMEU administrator received a report from Geoffrey Watson SC recommending that Darren and Michael Greenfield face criminal charges for dishonestly using positions to gain financial advantage in relation to the transfer of $3.15 million dollars of members money to fight bribery charges. The report also recommends that Rita Mallia and Rob Kera also face civil proceedings for failing to consider the reasonable expenses they approved for facilitating the $3 million dollar payment. .
Anti-corruption expert Geoffrey Watson, SC, also recommended the CFMEU start legal action to recover the “astonishing” sum of up to $890,000 paid to Darren Greenfield and his son Michael for the defense of their bribery charges. An extensive report into criminal conduct was published and the following recommendations were as follows:
* The President (Rita Mallia), Secretary (Darren Greenfield), Assistant Secretary (Rob Kera), and Assistant Secretary (Michael Greenfield) all committed serious breaches of their duties to the union members.
* They failed in their duty of care and diligence regarding the union's financial management and violated their duty of good faith.
* Darren and Michael Greenfield also misused their positions for personal gain.
* These breaches were significant enough to warrant prosecution and substantial civil penalties.
* The breaches caused harm to the union and its members, potentially up to $4 million. The union is entitled to recover substantial damages.
* Darren Greenfield’s actions were particularly severe and warrant criminal charges for dishonestly using his position for personal benefit.
* The Fair Work Commission should be referred to for potential civil penalties against the involved members and legal representatives.
Michael and Darren Greenfield again were successful in delaying the bribery charges against them till the pending High Court challenge judgement