Ex-Tiger King wants to avoid conviction

Former Richmond footballer Jake King is hoping a collection of glowing character references will help him avoid a conviction for threatening to hurt a man and possessing testosterone.

And as the ex-AFL player indicated he will admit two charges, a magistrate noted good people can make mistakes, citing Australian cricketer Steve Smith.

King had been accused of extortion and threatening to kill Tony Mokdissi in May 2017 over a $150,000 debt.

But those more serious charges will be dropped as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, lawyers said.

The former Tiger faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday where his barrister Dermot Dann QC said the case had been resolved.

King will plead guilty to threatening to seriously injure Mr Mokdissi and possessing a drug of dependence, testosterone, when he next faces court.

It's understood Mr Mokdissi was a business partner of King's Richmond teammate Tyrone Vickery, who owned Hawthorn East restaurant Fat Monkey.

King is seeking to avoid a conviction, Mr Dann said.

"There are some highly-exceptional circumstances relating to his involvement in both charges," he said.

"The possession (of testosterone) was related to his own use. There was a medical background for all that.

"For the other matter, there was a history relating to Mr King's friend."

Mr Dann said 30 people had written positive character references for King, which the magistrate should consider.

"They are from people who Mr King has assisted in the community. Families with children," he said.

Magistrate Carolyn Burnside took note, acknowledging that sometimes people of good character do the wrong thing.

"Most people realise that even very good people stray," the magistrate said.

"You look at Steve Smith at the moment.

"Everyone has admired him as a wonderful young man who has been a great captain. And he appears to have lapsed."

Smith has been stood down as Australian captain during a tour of South Africa after admitting being part of a ball-tampering scandal.

There is no suggestion of criminal wrongdoing by Smith.

King, who faced court in a tweed blazer, made no comments to reporters as he left.

The former forward, nicknamed "Push-up King", retired from professional football in July 2014.

He runs a tattoo parlour in South Melbourne with former bikie Toby Mitchell.

He is due back in court for a plea hearing on April 27.

Prosecutors will withdraw five charges, including extortion, making threats to kill and harassment.