Sport Confidential: Manly reach settlement in legal stoush with Des Hasler, Asofa-Solomona suspension cut

Melbourne enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona was meant to miss the first four weeks of the 2025 season due to an ugly high shot on Lindsay Collins, but he’ll be playing in round two - see why.

Melbourne’s hopes of making a fast start to next season have received a boost after the NRL ruled that prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona could serve three matches of a five-match ban in the Pacific Championships.

Asofa-Solomona missed last year’s grand final over a high shot on Sydney Roosters prop Lindsay Collins after being handed a suspension, the bulk of which was set to carry over into the start of 2025.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona will return in round two of the 2025 season. Picture: NRL Photos

However, the Storm successfully applied for Asofa-Solomona to serve three games of his suspension during the Pacific Championships given he would have been part of the New Zealand side had he been available.

It means the big bopper will be left with only one game of his ban remaining at the start of next season. Asofa-Solomona was a major omission for Melbourne in the grand final and his absence would have been a sledgehammer blow for the club heading into the opening games of 2025.

However, they will now only have to wait until round two to partner Asofa-Solomona with the big signing of the summer – Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.

MANLY AND HASLER AVOID SUPREME COURT BATTLE

Manly have avoided a full-blown legal battle with their former coach Des Hasler after reaching a settlement only days before they were due to head to the Supreme Court.

Sources close to both parties have been tight-lipped on the matter but Sport Con understands that the legal stoush has been resolved, saving Hasler and Sea Eagles powerbrokers the ignominy of having their acrimonious relationship exposed in court next week.

Hasler sued the Sea Eagles after he was dumped at the end of the 2022 following a disappointing end to the season in the wake of the Pride jersey scandal.

Manly initially offered Hasler a $565,000 settlement to go away quietly but he rejected the olive branch, instead opting to bring in the legal big guns to take on the Sea Eagles.

In their financial report for the 2021 season – which included a note in relation to the Hasler sacking – Manly revealed their failed settlement offer as well fears that an adverse decision in the courts could cost them as much as $1.19 million.

This masthead subsequently revealed that a revised assessment was included in their financial report for the 2022 season outlining concerns that a win for Hasler would cost Manly up to $1.5 million.

Des Hasler is set to avoid a trip to the Supreme Court with former club Manly.

Sources close to the legal battle recently suggested that the bill for Manly could rise as high as $1.7 million should the matter head to court and Hasler carry the day given the potential payout and legal costs.

However, it is understood they have finally found some middle ground, having previously tried and failed to resolve the matter through mediation.

Hasler is now at the Gold Coast, where he is trying to revive the Titans fortunes after a disappointing first season at the club. Manly appointed Anthony Seibold when Hasler was axed.

BRANDON WILLING TO TAKE HIS TIME

NRL rivals have been quietly asked whether they would be interested in Brandon Smith but the Sydney Roosters hooker insists he is in no rush to follow Terrell May out the door as he prepares for crunch talks over his future at the club.

Smith, sidelined until the middle of next year after undergoing a knee reconstruction, entered the final year of his deal on November 1 and the rugby league rumour mill has been awash with speculation that he could be the next player to be told he is free to go.

Given his well-documented injury concern – Smith is recovering from a knee reconstruction – the New Zealand international is in no hurry to resolve his future and has asked his management to take their time over sourcing interest from rivals.

The Roosters have sounded out opposition interest in Brandon Smith. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

However, it is understood a handful of clubs have been asked whether they would be interested in speaking to Smith should the Roosters decide to sever ties with the New Zealand international.

Smith, who is due to earn as much as $900,000 this season, has had a mixed time at the Roosters and his hopes of making a flying start to next year were rocked when he suffered a knee injury in the latter stages of the 2024 season.

Asked about his future on an episode of The Bye Round with James Graham – to be published on Thursday – Smith said he was waiting on talks with Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

“My manager told me when do you want me to talk to other clubs and I just said I am not really in a rush at the moment,” Smith said.

“Usually you sign a contract for security … in case pre-season you get injured or something happens like that. With me, I am already injured.

“I don’t have a risk of being reinjured. So I just told them to wait it out, don’t talk to anyone yet and I want to go back to training and get my knee right.”

Smith said he would speak to coach Trent Robinson once he returns to training.

“I haven’t spoken to them yet because Robbo is still away,” Smith said.

“When we get back to training we will have the proper discussion. Ideally I would like to stay at the Roosters.

“I don’t want to go anywhere and my partner is well entrenched in the club. Ideally I would like to stay but the game of rugby league doesn’t always have the same opinions as yourself.”

OLIVIA GETS AN OLIVE BRANCH

2024 Dally M medallist Olivia Kernick. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Olivia Kernick was bizarrely overlooked when the Jillaroos squad was named for the Pacific Championships but coach Brad Donald has seemingly extended an olive branch after asking the Sydney Roosters back rower to do the jersey presentation for the side this weekend.

Sport Con understands that a prior commitment meant Kernick was unable to accept the offer. Her absence from the Jillaroos squad when it was named stunned the rugby league community given she was a standout for the Roosters this season.

Kennedy Cherrington, who missed the side after suffering injury, was also extended an invite to present the jerseys by Donald.

VEGAS AND JD SPORTS

Hot on the heels of a groundbreaking deal with Red Bull, the NRL has landed another significant sponsorship that strengthens their appeal to a younger audience by signing JD Sports to be their presenting partner for Las Vegas for the next two years.

The latest deal with a global brand is further evidence of the NRL’s growing appeal with the likes of Reece Walsh, Nathan Cleary and Kalyn Ponga helping rugby league capture a new market.

JD Sports is a global brand that is big in the US and UK and growing in Australia and New Zealand. This will be their first foray into footy sponsorship.

“It is great to welcome JD Sports to the rugby league community as a partner and as a brand that has a passion for innovation,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“We look forward to working with JD Sports to take the Rugby League Las Vegas festival to even greater heights for fans over the next two years.

“The partnership represents an opportunity for the NRL to work with a global sports brand to build our connection to youth culture and capitalise on the brand’s influence in the US.”

Originally published as Sport Confidential: Manly reach settlement in legal stoush with Des Hasler, Asofa-Solomona suspension cut