The Manly Sea Eagles salary cap saga could extend deep into the NRL pre-season after they were granted a second extension on their reply to a breach notice.
The Sea Eagles were on Wednesday expected to formally respond to preliminary findings of potential cap breaches stretching over the past five seasons.
However, after being offered an deadline of January 31, an NRL spokesperson confirmed the club have been given until February 5 to make their case.
Last December the governing body threatened a significant fine should the preliminary findings be confirmed, as well as a penalty on the club’s salary cap for 2018
Any reduction in the club’s $9.4 million cap would greatly hinder their chances of signing an established playmaker, after releasing five-eighth Blake Green over the summer.
Manly have made no secret of their desire to lure former playmaker Trent Hodkinson back to the northern beaches, however, face the uphill battle to fit in his reported $600,000 deal.
The Sea Eagles have ex-Sydney Roosters halfback Jackson Hastings on their books, as well as new face Lachlan Croker, after his move from the Canberra Raiders, to wear the No.6.
The contract of December recruit Joel Thompson could also be heavily scrutinised.
The former St George Illawarra forward has already begun training with Manly but his contract may only be provisionally registered before the club’s salary cap is cleared by the NRL.
Earlier this week, Manly chairman Scott Penn conceded the club may have had trouble appropriately addressing what he described as “technical issues” over their salary cap dramas.
“There are some areas we need to defend but it is really technicality issues. There is no wholesale rorting or anything like that,” Penn told News Corp Australia on Monday.
“We don’t feel like we have done anything outside the rules but some of it is down to interpretation.
“No one has been paid anything more than is in their contract or that other third-party people have paid them directly.
“The allegations are technical issues that perhaps weren’t done appropriately.
“But it has never been anything more than that.”
The Sea Eagles have a trial game against the Cronulla Sharks on February 17 and the Sydney Roosters a week later before they open their NRL season against the Newcastle Knights on March 9.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I'm a Manly fan and I'm happy with the explanation , I don't care about the whole story in detail. I'm not full across Penns abilities but he has had something to do with bringing Bozo and Barrett to the club I assume and despite all the critics the club has turned around very quickly from a disastrous roster to one with great potential.
Big Daddy
Guest
It's obvious manly leagues club don't contribute any more. Just looking at 2016 annual report and profit was only 110k after a number of years losses. Does any one know what 2017 profit was and do they contribute or does Penn foot the bill for everything.
matth
Guest
There may be legal reasons that we don't know about. But if there are no legal impediments, I agree with you.
Chui
Guest
He owns the club. What do you think the fans can do about it?
Paul
Guest
Scott Penn's explanation of the situation is treating Manly fans with contempt. Their season could be ruined if the NRL decides to reduce their salary cap, but Penn's decided "we don't feel like we've done anything outside the rules" and "the allegations are technical issues". He's trying to treat these things as though they are insignificant issues Well guess what, the NRL doesn't agree with you, which is why they issued the breach notice. If you're fair dinkum Penn, tell you're members what members of your Club were alleged to have done, especially if they're ONLY "technical issues". You might want to think about getting a new chairman, Manly supporters. I don't think this bloke's doing you any favours.
PanthertillIdie
Guest
This is the typical way salary cap breaches are investigated theses days. No clarity on the nature of the allegations relayed to the public. Ambiguous Political styled responses and quotes in the press. Where is the transparency? Why aren’t the specific breach allegations made public? If the nature of the allegations are put to the club involved why will public disclosure affect any investigation? The cynic in me feels it is so everything can get smoothed over behind closed doors without a detrimental impact to the image of the NRL. We’ve got to have transparency and accountability to have a competition that holds integrity.