A fight between Manly staffers Willie Peters and Dan Ferris could cost them their jobs after a wild night in the Rocks.
The NRL is awaiting a report from Manly following revelations Sea Eagles assistant coach Willie Peters and the club's head of high performance, Ferris, were involved in a fight outside the Orient Hotel. Police were called to break up the fisticuffs and issued an infringement notice to Peters for offensive behaviour. Neither of them cooperated with police inquiries.
![Manly assistant coach Willie Peters.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170914153920im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/h/6/l/5/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gyh5th.png/1505387704072.jpg)
It's understood neither Manly nor the NRL were aware of the incident until Fairfax Media broke the news on Thursday morning.
Ten clubs have already been eliminated from the premiership race and not a single player has brought the game into disrepute during Mad Monday festivities. However, the Sea Eagles staffers could be sacked if a club investigation finds they have breached the club's behavioural code.
An NRL spokesman said the governing body would ask the Sea Eagles for a full report into the matter.
"Our preference is always that the clubs deal with these matters and the integrity unit would only become involved if it believes any sanction is inadequate," the spokesman said.
Ferris and Peters were among those responsible for guiding Manly to an unexpected finals appearance when most pundits predicted the Silvertails would miss the playoffs. Ferris has been credited with whipping the players into shape and reducing the amount of soft-tissue injuries, while Peters has helped head coach Trent Barrett prepare the side alongside fellow assistant coach John Cartwright.
Peters made the transition into the coaching ranks after finishing a playing career that included stints at St George Illawarra and South Sydney.
"A man has been fined after a fight outside a Sydney licensed premises overnight," police said in a statement issued to Fairfax Media.
"About 7pm yesterday police were called to a licensed premises on George Street at The Rocks after two men were seen fighting.
"The men, aged 38 and 31, declined to make statements or assist police with inquiries. Both men had superficial injuries.
"A criminal infringement notice was issued to a 38-year-old man for offensive behaviour."
It has been a rough few days for the Sea Eagles. They were controversially eliminated from the finals after being on the wrong end of several contentious calls in the loss to Penrith.
Manly centre Dylan Walker was denied a try after being ruled offside, while Panthers opposite Tyrone Peachey got the green light despite the possibility of a knock on in the lead up. Incensed by the decisions, Barrett unloaded on officials in the post-match press conference, prompting the NRL to issue the club with a proposed fine of $20,000. The Sea Eagles are likely to appeal against the fine as part of its response to the breach notice.
The NRL is yet to clear Manly after launching an investigation into potential salary cap breaches. The NSW Organised Crime Squad wasn't able to prove allegations of match-fixing as part of its own probe, but has uncovered secret payments that could have been made in breach of salary cap rules. The Sea Eagles have fully cooperated with the NRL's probe, including handing over phone and computer records.
Manly officials have been vocal in protesting their innocence and privately believe Strike Force Nuralda has acted outside its remit in a bid to justify its initial failed investigation.
5 comments
New User? Sign up