Four agents whacked with career threatening bans as NRL comes down hard on misconduct
Updated . First published
Four NRL agents have been suspended and fined for a range of breaches, including an alleged Port Macquarie street fight that broke out between two of them during an Australian Schoolboys tournament last year.
Chris Orr and Nash Dawson were banned for six months and nine months respectively due to their altercation and were also fined. The NRL stated that neither had co-operated with the Integrity Unit, which was taken into account.
Benji Marshall's manager Matthew Desira has been rubbed out for six months for failing to report police charges and court appearances which were brought against him.
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Agent Matt Desira is captured in the background of a recent Benji Marshall presser. Nine
Mario Tartak, however, has been the hardest manager hit, with the NRL proposing to whack him with a 12-month ban and a $25,000 fine.
The NRL alleges that Tartak "communicated with an underage player without a parent and/or legal guardian being present". It is also alleged that Tartak entered into a commercial arrangement with two NRL clubs, in breach of the Accredited Agent Scheme rules.
Tartak's stable includes Damien Cook, Haumole Olakau'atu, Josh Addo-Carr and Tallyn Da Silva.
Orr, of Pacific Sports Management, is a long-serving agent who acts for high profile players including million dollar-a-season stars Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes as well as recently appointed Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters.
Dawson's company manages Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Separately, Melbourne Storm forward Shawn Blore has been hit with a breach notice.
Blore pleaded guilty to common assault relating to an incident in Sydney in July, 2024.
The 81-game back-rower has the opportunity to respond to the NRL before a penalty is determined.
