NRL 2023: Dolphins fined $50,000 for illegal dealings with Broncos player Deine Mariner

The Dolphins and player manager at the centre of the poaching scandal involving a contracted Broncos player have broken their silence after the NRL handed down historic sanctions.

The Dolphins have been slapped with a $50,000 fine. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Dolphins boss Terry Reader has vehemently denied breaking contracting laws after the new franchise was fined $25,000 by the NRL over an anti-tampering scandal involving Broncos centre Deine Mariner.

In a bombshell development, Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have become the first club in NRL history to be hit with a breach notice by the governing body for allegedly breaching the code’s player-contract rules.

League Central slapped the Dolphins with a $50,000 fine - $25,000 of which was suspended - while Mariner’s manager Dixon McIvor incurred a suspended 12-month ban after the Broncos lodged a formal complaint with the NRL integrity unit.

The Broncos are adamant Dolphins bosses attempted to induce Mariner to break his existing Brisbane contract and the explosive fallout has ignited a Queensland Book of Feuds with their expansion rivals.

The NRL, finalising a nine-month investigation, ruled the Dolphins failed to supply adequate records in relation to their dealings with Mariner and his agent.

It is an unprecedented move by the NRL and a clear warning shot to all 17 clubs that the league will not tolerate either anti-tampering activity, or sloppy bookkeeping in relation to contract negotiations.

The Dolphins have been slapped with a $50,000 fine. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Under the NRL’s Playing Contract and Remuneration (PCR) rules, the governing body has the power to request records from clubs of all negotiations.

It is a terrible look for the Dolphins, who only joined the NRL this season and came under fire last year for holding talks with Storm star Cameron Munster, prompting Melbourne to lodge a formal complaint.

“The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued the Dolphins with a breach notice following an investigation into the conduct of Dolphins Club Officials and an Accredited Player Agent,” the NRL statement read.

“It is alleged that both the Dolphins Club and the Player Agent contravened the NRL Playing Contract and Remuneration Rules (PCR Rules) in dealings concerning Brisbane Broncos player Deine Mariner.

“Specifically, the breach notice alleges a failure by the Club to comply with the record keeping provisions of the PCR Rules. The notice proposes a $50,000 financial penalty (50 per cent suspended) for the Club.

“The show cause notice issued to the Player Agent alleges a failure to comply with the player negotiation provisions of the PCR Rules and the record keeping provisions of the Agents Accreditation Scheme Rules (Scheme Rules) and proposes a 12-month suspension of the Agent’s accreditation should he again breach the Scheme Rules or the PCR Rules in the next 24 months.

“Both parties have five business days to respond to the notices.”

Deine Mariner was approached while under contract. Picture: NRL Imagery

But Dolphins boss Reader insists the NRL’s 17th team is playing by the rules.

Asked if the club induced Mariner to break his Broncos contract, Reader said: “No. We’re a bit perplexed by this breach notice.

“We haven’t had a chance to read all the findings, we’ll have a look into it and respond in due course once we understand all the facts.”

As revealed by this masthead last year, the Broncos had lodged a complaint with the NRL integrity unit alleging the Dolphins met with Mariner and his manager to join the expansion rivals.

Mariner dropped a bombshell on Brisbane by suddenly discussing options for a possible release, despite being contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2024.

The Dolphins argue they can provide no records given no formal offer was made to Mariner, but the NRL has delivered its verdict after a lengthy investigation.

Breaking his silence on the decision, Mariner’s manager McIvor is adamant he and the Dolphins did not contravene NRL contracting laws.

“I am disappointed and shocked to be honest,” he said.

“I have said from the start that there was nothing in this. The NRL have obviously taken a different view from their findings.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“I have to accept it.

“It’s a bit odd now in regards to what we can do with any conversations we have with clubs.

“Is having a casual yarn with a club a breach? You can be pulled up for anything.

“I will stand by my comments and my word that the Dolphins did nothing wrong ... because if the Dolphins have done something wrong, then I have done something wrong, and I am adamant I did not break any rules.

“It feels a bit like being robbed. You go into your house knowing someone has violated you.

“There is this little blemish against my name and I’m not happy about it.

“I have to move onwards and upwards. I didn’t think anything was going to happen. I thought the investigation was done and gone, we haven’t heard anything for months.

“It’s a really odd decision.”

It has been alleged the Dolphins offered to pay double that of what Mariner was earning at the Broncos to convince him to move to Redcliffe.

McIvor blasted suggestions the new expansion franchise tried to induce the Broncos sensation, who will replace Dolphins-bound Herbie Farnworth at centre next season, to break his contract.

“There was merely a discussion around what was happening with Deine Mariner going forward,” McIvor said.

“I confirmed at the time (to Brisbane) that there was interest in him, but the Dolphins knew he was contracted and we had complete transparency with the Broncos.

NRL completed a nine month investigation into the matter. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

“Nothing ever eventuated beyond a basic discussion with the Dolphins.

“All I was looking at was where Deine’s future was in relation to the Broncos.

“At the time, there were several players sitting in front of him, including Tesi Niu and Herbie Farnworth, who had yet to join the Dolphins.

“Reece Walsh has just signed from the Warriors and Selwyn Cobbo wanted to be a fullback.

“There were a lot of areas where we asked the Broncos where Deine fits into the puzzle.

“Deine did not ask for a release.

“There were some discussions around potentially looking for a release, but it had nothing to do with who was offering what or where.

“Deine is a happy man at the Broncos and he doesn’t plan on going anywhere.”