Richard Vucinic is facing more than 100 charges including prescribing drugs when he was prohibited from doing so.
These allegedly include fentanyl, an opioid that had gained prominence as a recreational drug; diazepam also known as Valium; alprazolam also known as Xanax; appetite suppressant phentermine; endone also known as oxycodone; morphine; testosterone; and others, between January and September 2015.
He is also charged with seven counts of perjury, for allegedly signing statutory declarations swearing he had complied with the conditions of his medical registration.
The 44-year-old appeared over videolink but did not turn his camera on for a virtual mention in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, where he told the court he was trying to get in contact with his lawyer.
The lawyer, Jarred Hofman, was contacted by the court and asked to show up.
He told the court he had already explained to Mr Vucinic that he did not represent him.
Former Western Bulldogs doctor Richard Vucinic has been told he needs to find a lawyer. Picture: Hamish BlairSource:News Corp Australia
“We originally told my client, or my ex-client, that we couldn’t take on the file,” he said.
Mr Vucinic said the lawyer was “being difficult”.
Magistrate John Bentley responded: “Mr Hoffman is not being difficult; he’s an excellent lawyer in my view.”
“Mr Vucinic, they don’t want to act for you,” he said.
“You need to get another lawyer now.
“Come back in two weeks time … with a lawyer, please.”
Mr Vucinic has been disqualified from practicing as a doctor by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and he told the court he was now on Centrelink.
Mr Vucinic was the VFL doctor for the Western Bulldogs until 2014.
He will return to court on September 13.