Sport Confidential: Des Hasler’s payout, Ezra Mam off the road again, heartache for Billy Slater

The Sea Eagles and former coach Des Hasler have finally settled their long-running legal dispute, Ezra Mam goes ‘rogue’ and more in this week’s Sport Confidential.

Manly have gone to extreme lengths to maintain the veil of secrecy around their payout to former coach Des Hasler, blacking out the figure in their latest financial report.

The Sea Eagles and Titans mentor Hasler finally settled their long-running legal dispute late last year, avoiding a drawn-out and potentially ugly fight through the courts.

Manly and Hasler have been tight-lipped around the size of the payout - the Sea Eagles had foreshadowed in previous financial reports that it could be in excess of $1 million, although they were fighting to pay significantly less.

Former Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.

Manly’s financial report for the 2024 season gives little away other than confirming that the parties had reached an agreement.

Under a clause titled ‘Events after the reporting period’, the annual report notes that a settlement was reached with a former employee and an associated entity on November 8.

The figure is then blacked out. The report goes on to say: “The settlement reflects a full and final payment of the matter. A provision has been included in the financial statements for this settlement.”

The report shows that the Sea Eagles had a $2 million uplift in revenue last year with the club edging towards $33 million.

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MAM GOES ‘ROGUE’

The Broncos have moved to address speculation embattled playmaker Ezra Mam has again broken the law by allegedly using an e-bike that breaches Queensland’s speed limit laws.

In the latest saga to hit Mam, a media report claimed the Broncos pivot was using the e-scooter for his daily commute to Brisbane training.

It is understood Mam purchased the e-bike for around $2000 after the car-crash saga last October that saw him suspended from driving.

Images on social media showed a picture of Mam outside Broncos headquarters with his new e-bike - the V3 Rogue from Burleigh company Oceanside Cycles.

Ezra Mam greets fans as he leaves the field after a Brisbane Broncos captain’s run at Toowoomba Sports Ground. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Under Queensland’s speed-limit laws, e-scooters cannot travel in excess of 25km/h.

Mam’s V3 Rogue had the ability to go twice as fast - had he ridden it.

A Broncos spokesperson confirmed Mam at no stage used the e-scooter after learning of the possible speed-limit breaches.

That has prompted Mam to give away the V3 Rogue and find an alternative method to attend Broncos training.

Sport Confidential can also reveal the car Mam drove in his collision with an Uber driver has been sold.

Declared a “statutory write-off”, Mam’s 2023 Ford Ranger went up for auction last Tuesday at Eagle Farm in Brisbane and was successfully purchased to be used for spare parts.

While the sale price was not revealed, the written-off wreckage’s purchase closes the door on a harrowing chapter for the 22-year old.

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It's a Funny Game. Art by Boo Bailey.

PVL’S NRL GOLDMINE

This is the graphic that shows how the NRL has flourished under the leadership of ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and chief executive Andrew Abdo.

In the space of four years, since being appointed to the top job at the end of 2020, Abdo has increased revenues by $170 million and returned four consecutive surpluses, totalling more than $220 million.

That has allowed the game to more than double its asset base. As revealed by this masthead this week, the game’s financial report for the 2024 season shows they now have net assets of more than $320 million thanks to a concerted campaign to purchase assets that ring-fence the game from financial disaster.

V’landys and Abdo have turned the game into a financial juggernaut and closed the gap to the AFL, raising hopes that rugby league can draw alongside its bitter rival when the next broadcasting agreement is struck.

The vast majority of revenue still comes from broadcasting and gambling, although sponsorship and government income also contributes heavily.

Government dollars are set to soar in coming years as money filters into the game from the Papua New Guinea deal, which is set to bring $600 million into the game over the next 10 years.

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SLATER’S SAD PASSING

The Queensland Rugby League family is rallying around Maroons coach Billy Slater following the passing of his father Ronnie.

Ronnie Slater died three weeks ago in Cairns hospital aged 72 with his funeral held in Innisfail last Monday week.

While his son is regarded as the greatest fullback of all-time, Ronnie was a fine player in his own right.

Billy Slater with his late father Ron. Picture: Marc McCormack

Nicknamed “Mophead”, Ronnie was considered one of the best lock forwards in Queensland bush football and starred in the Mt Isa Foley Shield team which beat Townsville 26-6 in the 1979 final.

“He was a top player,” veteran Mt Isa sports broadcaster John Moran told the North West Weekly.

“He even trialled in Sydney. Ronnie was mainly a forward and he had a great swerve, too.

“When you saw his son Billy play, you could see the same swerve and athletic ability.”

Slater enters his fourth year in charge of the Maroons this season and is keen to win a third Origin shield after NSW denied him a historic hat-trick in 2024.

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BRONCOS OLD BOYS BACK MADGE

New Brisbane coach Michael Maguire is making a concerted effort to make the Broncos’ Old Boys welcome at Red Hill.

Legendary Broncos prop Shane Webcke visited training on Wednesday and even walked out on the field during a sweltering two-hour session for what seemed a warm chat with Maguire.

Webcke’s welcoming came just a fortnight after a posse of Broncos Old Boys, including Brad Thorn, Shane Walker, Peter Ryan and Tonie Carroll, popped in for a barbecue at Red Hill.

Born in Canberra, Maguire has no concerns about being seen as an ‘outsider’ and shares the same vision for success as Brisbane’s greatest players.

The new Broncos coach also shed light on the origins of his nickname ‘Madge, one of the most widely-used monikers in the NRL.

“I’ve got a stack of cousins and uncles and we’re all called ‘Madge’,” he said with a laugh.

“There’s a lot of Maguires in Canberra, so we would have family events and everyone would say ‘Madge’ and we would all turn around.

“I have no idea exactly how the nickname started because there’s no ‘D’ in my surname.

“I got to grade 4 at St Edmund’s College and suddenly I was Madge.

“My two other brothers have the same nickname.

“My brothers tried to shake it, but I’ve never bothered because a nickname is just a nickname.”

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DANA’S CAPITAL RAID

Canberra’s campaign to have UFC boss Dana White blow the Viking horn in Las Vegas is in danger of being scuppered by a clash of dates.

The Raiders have reached out to White via his publicity department and it is understood the UFC supremo is keen to be involved.

However, there is a UFC event on the same day in Las Vegas at their event centre.

The Raiders are optimistic they can make it work but it would require White blowing the Viking horn at Allegiant Stadium and then racing off to attend the UFC event.

Meanwhile, UFC star and rabid Penrith fan Tai Tuivasa is set to help promote the NRL’s American invasion.

Tuivasa, who is a business partner of Panthers talisman Nathan Cleary, will be in Las Vegas to watch Penrith and has been enlisted by the NRL to help the code gain some traction in Sin City.

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WATSON’S ORIGIN GIFT

Connor Watson has placed his State of Origin jersey up for auction and a host of other stars have donated prized items to help support Avoca Beach resident Patrick Wheatley.

Wheatley – who has a one-year-old daughter – had his life turned upside when he became a quadriplegic following a horseriding accident in July. Among the items are a game-worn Watson Origin jersey, Kalyn Ponga’s signed Origin jersey a Steve Smith signed cricket bat and multiple game-day experiences.

To bid CLICK HERE

Connor Watson has donated his Origin jersey. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

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EX-BRONCOS DUO’S CANCER FIGHT

Former Broncos teammates Daniel Vidot and Alex Glenn are calling on Queenslanders to dig deep and throw their weight behind women fighting breast cancer.

One-time Broncos skipper Glenn and ex-WWE star Vidot will take part in the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run in Brisbane on March 9.

The iconic event sold out in a record three weeks, with 23,000 people set to hit the streets _ including Glenn and Vidot.

“We all know someone affected by breast cancer, and together we can come together and raise crucial funds to ensure better outcomes for future generations,” Glenn said.

(L-R) Daniel Vidot and Alex Glenn will run in the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run in Brisbane on March 9 Picture Annette Dew.

“It’s important we find a cure for breast cancer – the disease claims the lives of millions of women globally.”

The event is hoping to raise $1.8 million to help the many Queensland women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said funds from the event will go towards lifesaving breast cancer research, as well as services and support for breast cancer patients at Mater hospitals in Brisbane, Springfield, Redlands, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.

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KING ARTHUR’S DEAL OF DECADE

Super League club Leeds are so happy with Brad Arthur they want the former Eels coach for a decade.

Sport Confidential understands Rhinos bosses are open to a 10-year deal for Arthur, who goes into the new Super League premiership off-contract at season’s end.

Arthur made the move to Leeds last May following his termination at the Eels and the 50-year-old is relishing his stint with the Rhinos, who have been impressed by his man management style.

Leeds chiefs want Arthur to extend his stay and his management have a history of striking long-term deals, having previously brokered 10-year contracts for Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo and Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.

But it’s doubtful whether Arthur would ink a ‘lifetime’ deal. He is eventually keen to return to Australia and with the NRL set to expand in 2027-28, Arthur could be a contender for the Western Bears or Papua New Guinea jobs.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Arthur told British media. “When I first came over I was only coming for 10 weeks and I ended up staying for another 12 months, so we’ll just get the season started and see what happens from there.

“I love the club. The players have been great. But if you want me to be honest, it’s tough being away from your family.

“I’ve got two boys back in Australia who I’m not going to see for 11 months, so it’s just how you handle that.

“I feel like I still want to go back and coach in the NRL at some stage, but I feel like I’ll be more equipped for it. My family’s got different experiences out of it as well, getting to travel through Europe and I’ve totally enjoyed my time here.”

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EAGLES SWOOP ON EX-MAROON

Former Queensland Origin prop Jarrod Wallace is giving back to the game after inking a deal to return to the grassroots on the Gold Coast.

Wallace will turn out for Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast rugby league competition this season in another sign of an ex-NRL star helping the next generation in the lower tier.

Wallace was released by Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett last July and made a swift transfer to the English Super League, where he played seven games for French club Catalans.

The 33-year-old was hoping to secure a return to the NRL or Queensland Cup this season, but has opted for a stint at Currumbin.

‘J Wal’ enjoyed a fine NRL career, playing 212 games for the Broncos, Titans and Dolphins, plus six Origin matches for Queensland between 2017-19.

The Eagles are building a formidable roster with Wallace to join forces with former Melbourne premiership winner and Kiwi Test back-rower Kevin Proctor.

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SONNY DAYS FOR GALLEN

NRL legend Sonny Bill Williams is refusing to give up hope of taking on Paul Gallen in the biggest fight in Australian sport.

Sport Confidential can reveal Williams has been in fresh secret negotiations to take on fierce NRL foe Gallen _ two years after the pair were set to square off in a $5 million super fight.

Channel 9’s streaming service Stan is keen to broadcast the NRL heavyweight blockbuster and are trying to secure signatures at the right price.

It is understood SBW is up for the fight and ready to sign on the dotted line, but the sticking point is Gallen and the money required to convince the Sharks legend to jump back in the ring.

While the pair are past their prime - Sonny Bill is 39, Gallen 43 - the fight would still be a pay-per-view blockbuster given their sporting achievements and years of tension between the duo.

Gallen last fought against Justin Hodges in November 2022, just three weeks after Sonny Bill was beaten by Mark Hunt.

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Molo has permission to talk with other clubs.

MOLO ENLISTS ISRAEL FOLAU’S LAWYER IN FIGHT WITH DRAGONS

Francis Molo has hired the same lawyer who took up Israel Folau’s fight with Rugby Australia as the Dragons prepare to slap a transfer fee on the disgruntled prop.

It is understood that Molo has hired Ramy Qutami to deal with his workplace dramas at St George Illawarra. Qutami has represented a string of high profile sport stars including Folau during his much publicised battle with Rugby Australia which threatened to derail the code. Aside from Folau, Qutami has also acted for Jarryd Hayne, Dylan Walker and Salim Mehajer in recent years. Molo enlisting Qutami comes as the Dragons formally offered granted the former Queensland forward permission to talk with rival clubs on Wednesday.

However, it comes with a catch which could make it difficult for Molo to find a new home. It is understood the Dragons will allow Molo to leave provided his new club stump up a transfer fee.

They also want Molo to pay back money he had been paid in advance as well as the money he has been paid since the NRL’s contract year kicked off on November 1. It is unlikely that Molo’s camp will agree to giving money back which has been paid for this season given Molo had trained with the squad up until the end of January. Molo also played for Samoa in England at the end of last year which meant his return date to training was pushed back. He is on sick leave which is due to end next month. Complicating matters for the Dragons is that they need Molo to move on in order to sign David Klemmer to a top 30 spot given the Dragons squad is full.

Molo has two seasons left on a contract worth about $500-600k a season.