NRL Integrity Unit questions young gun as Broncos-Dolphins war explodes
Before a ball has been kicked, new NRL rivals the Broncos and Dolphins are already at war over two of Queensland’s most promising teenage talents.
The NRL integrity unit has formally interviewed Deine Mariner following explosive allegations the Dolphins tried to convince the young gun to break his Broncos deal with a $1.2 million sweetener.
The Mariner development comes as a poaching war over another Broncos rookie exploded, with Brisbane warning Dolphins-target Karl Oloapu he can sit on the sideline for three years if he tries to quit.
Before a ball has been kicked, new NRL rivals the Broncos and Dolphins are already at war over two of Queensland’s most promising teenage talents.
News Corp can reveal NRL investigators have ramped-up their probe, contacting Mariner in a bid to ascertain whether the Dolphins breached contracting laws by inducing the Brisbane centre to walk out on his Broncos deal.
The Broncos have lodged a complaint with the NRL, alleging Mariner approached the club in September asking for an immediate release, a request they believe was sparked by a lucrative offer from the Dolphins.
Brisbane bosses have supplied statements to the NRL integrity unit intimating Mariner, who played two first-grade games this season in his rookie year, was illegally contacted by Dolphins figures to join the expansion newcomers in 2023.
It is understood Mariner, who is contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2024, stood to make an extra $1.2m if he signed a long-term deal with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have denied any wrongdoing. They claim they had dialogue with Mariner’s management only after the 19-year-old sought a release from the Broncos, believing he faced an NRL selection roadblock behind the likes of Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs.
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader says he has not been contacted by League Central, but it is understood NRL investigators will turn their attention to Brisbane’s rivals when their probe with Mariner and his agent, Dixon McIver, is complete.
“All NRL integrity unit inquiries or investigations are conducted on a confidential basis,” an NRL spokesman said of the Mariner saga.
McIver is adamant the Dolphins did not break NRL contracting laws and says Mariner, rated one of Brisbane’s finest ever centre prospects, will honour his Broncos deal.
“The NRL has made contact with us, yes,” McIver said.
“From my end it’s a pretty self-explanatory thing.
“There’s a difference between enticing a player (to break his contract) 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.”
Meanwhile, the Oloapu saga has taken a fresh twist with the Australian Schoolboys captain insisting he will not return for Brisbane’s pre-season, prompting the Broncos to play hardball.
The 18-year-old playmaking sensation signed a three-year deal with the Broncos earlier this year and the Redcliffe-junior has since asked for a release to link with the Dolphins.
On Friday, Oloapu told Channel 9’s website, “I will never play for Brisbane as long as I live”.
But the Broncos will not back down, leaving the teenager in danger of being rubbed out of rugby league until 2026.
Reader denied the Dolphins were breaching contracting rules by pursuing Mariner or Oloapu, who was outstanding at this year’s Australian Schoolboys carnival at Redcliffe.
“I’m very confident,” he said. “We haven’t gone about breaking any rules or doing anything we’re not meant to.
“Managers speak to clubs every day and we’re no different.
“Every club wants to sign quality players and so do we. If they are available and interested we want to talk to them.
“We’ve dealt with unusual circumstances. Not many clubs have to sign 34 players in one year, plus train-and-trial players, and put academies together.
“We have said from the start we will be patient and wait for the right player.”
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