NRL 2023: Broncos fighting to retain Deine Mariner and Karl Olapau
The cold war between the Broncos and Dolphins is heating up with the NRL Integrity Unit called in to investigate claims by both clubs.
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The Broncos have made a formal complaint to the NRL integrity unit over sensational allegations expansion rivals the Dolphins enticed rising star Deine Mariner to break his Brisbane contract.
News Corp can reveal the NRL investigators have contacted Mariner’s management following revelations the 19-year-old dropped a bombshell on the Broncos by asking for an immediate release six weeks ago.
The Broncos were stunned by the request and rejected it.
Brisbane bosses then reported the matter to the NRL integrity unit, alleging the Dolphins tried to coerce Mariner - rated one of the club’s finest centre talents - to walk out on the Broncos by tabling a lucrative contract.
The revelations have sparked a bitter expansion feud and comes as the Broncos and Dolphins waged a separate contractual dispute over another teenage young gun Karl Oloapu, who wants out of Brisbane.
The NRL has cleared the Broncos of any wrongdoing over a three-year contract signed by Oloapu, who is refusing to attend Brisbane training.
Now the integrity unit has launched a fresh probe into Brisbane’s claim that the Dolphins have broken NRL contracting laws by attempting to sign Mariner _ an allegation the new expansion team has rejected.
Mariner’s manager Dixon McIver confirmed he has been interviewed by the NRL over the matter.
“The NRL has made contact with us, yes,” McIver said.
“I have co-operated fully with the NRL.
“I have given them a statement on where we stand and that’s why I don’t have any concerns.”
The Broncos believe Mariner wanted an immediate release to play for the Dolphins - for more money - next season.
McIver is adamant the Dolphins did not break NRL contracting laws and says Mariner, a classy centre who made his top-grade debut this year, will honour his Broncos deal.
“Deine has had interest from a number of clubs,” he said.
“From my end it’s a pretty self-explanatory thing.
“There’s a difference between enticing a player and some discussions that have transpired.
“We’ve left it to the Broncos and the NRL to sort it out and they will come up with deliberations in due course.
“I’ve got a good relationship with the Broncos.
“The interpretation of what I have of the situation to the Broncos will be completely different.
“I don’t think there is anything to be concerned about, but the NRL will make their findings.”
Asked why Mariner suddenly sought a release from the Broncos, McIver said: “I can’t go into detail on that, Deine had his reasons and one thing for certain is that Deine is a Bronco. He is contracted for 2024 and that’s the way it is.
“I’m not worried. I don’t know how the Dolphins feel. The Broncos have raised a concern over a couple of players (Mariner and Oloapu), but that’s for the NRL and them and we’ll reply when we have to.”
Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader denied trying to coerce Mariner into quitting the Broncos, saying the NRL has yet to contact the club.
“We have heard nothing about an investigation and the club has not received any official communications from the NRL on the matter,” he said.
“He (Mariner) is contracted.
“We can’t sign a player if he’s not available to be signed.”
Reader hit back at suggestions the Dolphins are attempting to destabilise their Queensland rivals by poaching Broncos players.
“The reality is there are now two teams in Brisbane and more competition for local players,” he said.
“The Dolphins will always be interested in the best available young talent, especially quality players from Queensland.
“We aren’t targeting the Broncos, the fact is that players now have more options with two NRL clubs in Brisbane.”
EXPLOSIVE TUG-OF-WAR OVER RISING BRONCOS STAR TAKES UGLY TURN
The NRL has cleared the Broncos of any wrongdoing as an explosive contract tug of war broke out with the Dolphins in the battle for rising teenage star Karl Oloapu.
As revealed by News Corp, Brisbane were in danger of losing Oloapu in the face of a mega poaching bid from the Dolphins, who had offered twice as much as the Broncos to lure the Redcliffe junior back home.
The Broncos released a statement on Tuesday claiming they had been cleared by NRL salary-cap investigators of any contractual impropriety involving Oloapu, the Australian Schoolboys captain.
Reports suggest Oloapu wants out of his three-year deal and is refusing to attend Broncos training, claiming he has been mistreated by Brisbane.
But an NRL probe found the Broncos contract, registered earlier this year with League Central, was signed by the Oloapu camp in good faith, meaning the teenager faces sitting out for three years if he refuses to return to Brisbane training.
Broncos Academy and recruitment chief Simon Scanlan hit out at suggestions Brisbane pressured Oloapu into signing and said the club will be honouring the deal.
“Both the NRL and RLPA have reviewed the situation at the request of the player agent and no wrongdoing by the club was found,” he said.
“It is disappointing to learn that Karl feels the way he does, but the door is most certainly open at the Broncos for him to re-join training with our NRL squad.”
Oloapu was outstanding at this year’s national championships and was flooded with NRL interest in the wake of his performances at Redcliffe, including an offer from the Dolphins.
But by then, Oloapu, a classy five-eighth or lock, had been snapped up by the Broncos - and they have no intention of letting him go.
“The facts are that Karl is a quality young man who has been in the Broncos Academy system since he was 13 years old and in January this year he willingly committed to a contract with our club for three years from 2023-2025,” Scanlan said.
“Prior to signing that contract, we worked from late November 2021 with Karl, his family and his then-manager to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
“The day before the final contract was signed in late January this year, Karl and his family chose to part ways with that manager.
“It was not until June this year – shortly after Karl and his family engaged a new player manager – that we received a request for a substantial upgrade to his three-year contract which had not even begun.
“We denied that request but committed to reviewing it during the 2024 season. Subsequently, a player release was requested.
“In recent months we have done our utmost to work with his new agent to reach a way forward but multiple attempts to meet with Karl have been rejected.
“Karl would be welcomed with open arms and would be fully supported by all our staff.”
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