The National Rugby League has delivered a series of heavy sanctions in a major end-of-year integrity crackdown, suspending four of the game's most powerful player agents and fining two high-profile clubs.
Agents Hit with Suspensions and Fines
On a significant Thursday for the administration of the sport, the NRL handed down suspensions to agents Chris Orr, Mario Tartak, Nash Dawson, and Matt Desira. The quartet also received combined fines totalling $60,000 for various breaches of the code's rules.
Mario Tartak, one of the most influential figures in player management, copped the heaviest individual penalty. He was given a 12-month ban and a $25,000 fine. The NRL alleged he communicated with an under-age player without a guardian present and entered into commercial arrangements with two NRL clubs, which is prohibited.
Tartak's client list includes stars like Haumole Olakau'atu and the Fainu brothers. His highest-profile player coming off contract this year is Damien Cook.
Chris Orr and Nash Dawson each received six-month suspensions. Orr was fined $10,000 and Dawson $15,000 following an altercation at a schoolboys competition last year. Orr's Pacific Sport Management represents Dylan Brown, Selwyn Cobbo, and Valentine Holmes. Dawson manages the affairs of Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Matt Desira also faces a six-month suspension after the NRL accused him of "non-reporting and dishonesty following police charges and court proceedings." Desira looks after Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and recently negotiated deals for Viliame Kikau and Jayden Campbell.
Clubs Also in the Firing Line
The NRL's busy day extended to clubland, with the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm both facing financial penalties.
The governing body claims the Roosters breached the supplementary and training cap by $36,070 in 2024. The club is facing a fine equivalent to that amount.
Melbourne Storm is accused of twice selecting a player who was on a training contract in 2025. They have been hit with a $25,000 fine, with half of that amount suspended.
In a separate off-field matter, Melbourne's Shawn Blore was issued a breach notice after pleading guilty to common assault in Sydney last July.
Tonga Medical Staff and Katoa Fallout
In further news, the NRL has granted Tonga's medical staff more time to decide whether to challenge their two-year bans. The sanctions relate to their handling of Eliesa Katoa's repeated head knocks during an international match.
Head doctor Peter Hackney, his assistant Hoani McFater, and head trainer Jonathan Crawley are all facing two-year suspensions from any NRL competition. A fourth staffer, Warriors physio Steve Dean, received a formal warning.
The incident saw Storm second-rower Katoa suffer three hits to the head within two hours. After falling ill on the sideline, he was rushed to hospital for urgent surgery due to bleeding on the brain and seizure activity. The 25-year-old is back running but has been ruled out for the entire 2026 season.
Impact and Next Steps
While the agent suspensions will force several stars to find new management ahead of the 2026 season, the practical impact is expected to be minimal. All four banned agents have colleagues within their firms who can continue to handle player affairs in the interim.
The fate of the Tongan medical staff will be determined next year, with at least one member seriously considering challenging the sanctions.
This sweeping series of sanctions underscores the NRL's heightened focus on integrity matters as it seeks to maintain the sport's standards and reputation.
