A WAR of words between the Broncos and a player agent over an alleged third-party agreement involving prop Dave Taylor could lead to a salary cap investigation.
The Sunday Mail has learned Col Davis, the manager of Brisbane prop Dave Taylor, is seeking $40,000 from the club on behalf of his client as part of a TPA allegedly discussed with Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen during contract negotiations.
Davis claims the Broncos have until October 31 – the day Taylor's one-year contract with Brisbane expires – to pay the outstanding amount.
Davis said the dispute was a contributing factor in Taylor's decision to quit the club and join Souths next season.
But Cullen has hit back, insisting no such agreement exists.
He confirmed raising the possibility of a third-party sponsorship with Davis, but said it was the responsibility of Taylor's agent to personally broker any deal with the prospective sponsor.
Under the code's salary cap laws, a club can be found guilty of a cap breach if it fails to declare a third-party agreement to the NRL.
The NRL is aware of the dispute and to date is happy with the information it has received.
However, if Davis is able to show there was a firm agreement, it's understood their stance may change. NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert has the power to widen his current investigation into the Broncos, launched last month, to incorporate the TPA dispute.
NRL spokesman John Brady confirmed that the governing body's probe of Brisbane's affairs remains open after allegations mining magnate Ken Talbot had handed out cash to several Broncos players while he was a member of the Thoroughbreds, a group of wealthy businessmen who provided support and advice to players.
The allegations were made last month by former Broncos chairman Don Nissen while he was giving testimony at the corruption trial of former Beattie government minister Gordon Nuttall in Brisbane's District Court.
Davis is adamant the Broncos still owe Taylor $40,000 after an initial $10,000 payment for a traineeship and has taken steps to recoup the money he believes he is owed.
He confirmed visiting Broncos football manager Peter Nolan over the matter last Thursday morning. He said he left the meeting at the club's offices at Red Hill "confident the issue will be sorted out in due course".
"At the time of doing (Taylor's) contract I met with Bruno and he advised they would assist with getting a third-party agreement," Davis claimed.
"At this stage, Dave hasn't received his money, but I've met with Peter Nolan.
"There was a TPA that was agreed to – and I'm not going to back down from that."
Contacted Friday, Cullen said he was not aware of Davis's meeting with Nolan to discuss the alleged TPA.
Cullen scoffed at claims by Davis that, having met Nolan, he had been given an assurance the dispute would be resolved.
Nolan said: "I never wanted to be dragged into this because it was an issue between Bruno and Col Davis.
"But I categorically deny it (promising to resolve the issue). I did not say that to Col Davis."
Cullen revealed that a third party declared his interest in paying $50,000 a year for five years as part of a sponsorship arrangement with Taylor.
Cullen says he left the negotiation process to Davis and the prospective sponsor, but maintains no TPA was brokered.
He also slammed suggestions the alleged agreement could represent an undisclosed, under-the-table payment aimed at circumventing the NRL salary cap.
"Ask Col Davis for a copy of the TPA. That would be a good way to prove if one is in place," Cullen said.
In response, Davis said: "I was told (by Cullen) we could strike a third-party deal. The issue arose when I started to ask questions about what we needed to do to get the money due under the third-party agreement."
Cullen said at no stage did he guarantee Davis a TPA for Taylor.
"I advised Dave Taylor's manager during negotiations that there was a third-party interested in securing his services for the Broncos at $50,000 a year for five years. That had to be procured between Dave's manager and the third party," Cullen said.
Asked if he disclosed the proposed TPA to the NRL, Cullen said: "No, it never went ahead.
"There was no need for me to inform the NRL before we had an agreement between Dave and the third party.
Cullen said he believed Davis had let his client down: "I don't take any responsibility for this at all."
NRL spokesman Brady said: "We are keeping an open mind around the allegations surrounding the Broncos and it is still being investigated.
"There is an ongoing interest around some of the issues related to the Thoroughbreds and we review all clubs on a regular basis.
"We'll continue to look at all matters."
http://m.couriermail.com.au/sport/n...contract-dispute/story-e6frep5x-1225759391477
Speaking of dodgy shit
