There was talk of Kristie pursuing a wrongful dismissal case, and there were all sorts of unproven allegations made against Cleary. Now the NRL is getting involved in the mess after claims some 21 staff have left Manly's front office in the past three years. There are rumblings from former staff about chief operating officer and company secretary Neil Bare, but he has the backing of club owner Scott Penn. The NRL integrity unit is tipped to start asking questions about the club's management after a sacked employee came forward and detailed the behaviour in the front office. The integrity unit is said to be interested in staff behaviour, sponsorship arrangements and, here is the big issue for Manly, the implications of that for the salary cap. Manly may face questions about their cap situation in coming weeks. Penn threw his support behind Bare and his reshaped front office. "It's no secret that we've had a difficult last 12 months in our front office," Penn said. "We've employed some good new people in the corporate area and we're confident they will do a good job for the club in coming months.

"If the integrity unit wants to talk to anyone in regards to our front office, I would encourage that. As for Neil Bare, I have full confidence in him and the job he is doing. And he doesn't need to defend himself." The latest employee to resign is marketing, consumer and community manager Jodie Evans. She is also the girlfriend of News Corp journalist Dean Ritchie. She is not the person who has gone to the NRL. This column has seen an email that details some of the complaints. It reads: "I was one of the employees that was forced out of the Manly Sea Eagles. It was a very toxic environment to work in. From the beginning you could tell that there were two sides: the people that Tim Cleary (CEO) brought into the organisation and the others that were aligned to Bob Fulton." The email goes on to talk about the resignation of Pam King, personal assistant and confidant to Cleary. King is the mum of former Manly captain Jason.

There are details of what took place at meetings, and suggestions of a heated argument between Bare and Cleary. Many of the allegations have been put to the NRL. I made the Sea Eagles management aware of allegations and they denied them. The investigation is in its very early stages. This column has also received a document making serious allegations about Manly's feeder team, Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.

Maloney to sit down with Sharks after Origin The James Maloney contract situation is bouncing along, and Cooper Cronk is adding spice to the situation. The aim is for Maloney and the Sharks to hold discussions after Origin III. That is about the same time Cronk is due to decide his future. There is no question Maloney is worth more than his existing deal. But the Sharks believe that's not their problem. I would be surprised if Maloney hasn't asked for a release at some point in the conversation. He is laughing off any such suggestions, and he is saying that he is happy at Cronulla. Contract machinations: James Maloney. Credit:Jason McCawley Another interesting aspect of the situation is that Sharks coach Shane Flanagan — the man who does the wheeling and dealing — and Maloney have the same agent, Wayne Beavis. Knowing how Beavis operates, Maloney will be his priority as he is the one not content with the existing arrangement.

The clubs who want Maloney need an answer sooner rather than later, but the Sharks are in no hurry. South Sydney, for instance, need a running five-eighth to complement half Adam Reynolds. Maloney would fit that bill — and he lives five minutes from Redfern — but unless Cronk fell into the Sharks' lap, it's hard to see Maloney being released. Fifita chasing a four-year deal In the aftermath of Andrew Fifita's star performance in Origin I, this column suggested he was a $1million-a-year player. And it appears that may be the minimum he will command if he maintains anything like his current form. When Fifita, off contract at the end of next season, was last on the market the Bulldogs threw $800,000 a season at him – and that was before the market went crazy. Now the likes of Russell Packer and Aaron Woods are setting the pace for "prop money" and are on the kind of cash Fifita is chasing.

Fifita wants to do a deal before Christmas, because he found the last contract experience stressful and this time he's seeking a quick negotiation. Given his age, 27, and his dislike for the negotiation process, this is more likely than not to be his last deal in Australia. Expect him to push for a four-year contract. Focus: Andrew Fifita. Credit:Getty Images The first round of talks will take place in coming days. Fifita knows about the hype swirling around his future, but he is trying to stay focused on what he has to do for the Blues and the Sharks. There is no doubt there will be strong interest in Fifita, and don't be surprised if the Roosters have a look at their forward stocks in coming weeks and decide that Fifita is the player for them.

Roosters boss Nick Politis was very close with Arthur Beetson and, without overstepping the mark, Fifita has elements of Beetson in his game. Long-time Channel Nine commentator Ray Warren watched Beetson and was blown away by Fifita's performance in the Origin opener. "Of course, I saw lots of Arthur," Warren said. "The comparison isn't quite right ... Arthur didn't have Andrew's speed." Fifita is managed by Ben Johnston and he is also advised by Greg Willett, who previously delivered Braith Anasta to the Roosters. The main reason Fifita wants a quick deal is due to the dispute with the Bulldogs that tainted his last negotiation in 2014. There was a signed document that the Bulldogs backed out of, which will be the subject of legal action after this deal is done. Split hits Merrin Trent Merrin's split with Sally Fitzgibbons has hit him harder than we were first aware, but he has been receiving strong support from the Panthers and his agent, Wayne Beavis.

Well-placed sources have told this column that in the weeks since the break-up Fitzgibbons has not been in contact with Merrin. What Penrith and Beavis want to ensure is that Merrin is not left out of pocket. Merrin has invested in projects with Fitzgibbons and that needs to be sorted out. The most difficult part of that is dealing with Fitzgibbons' people. Merrin's value in the relationship – privately and publicly – was undervalued. A lot of her currency in NSW in particular was based on Merrin. Star power There was a high-powered dinner at The Star on Thursday when Nick Politis, Ray Dib and Phil Gould met with new Sharks boss Dino Mezzatesta. There is no doubt the three heavy hitters were getting the Sharks on board with their plans and views.

The Blues are staying at the Star and Gould, the most successful coach in Blues history, bumped into James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, and had a chat with coach Laurie Daley. Gould spent most of his time talking with his old mate and Blues trainer Ronnie Palmer, and the Blues assistant coach John Cartwright. Salford calling We mentioned the Shaun Kenny-Dowall link to Salford last week. At that point there had been no formal discussions between the English club and SKD's management. That changed this week when Salford owner Marwan Koukash called Kenny-Dowall's agent George Christodoulou. They've made him an offer for the rest of this year with a view to a long-term stay. UK bound: Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Credit:Getty Images Semi detached

Semi Radradra has said time and again that he'd like to return to the Eels when his Toulon stint is up, but it's hard to work out if he's been through the financials. As it stands, Radradra can make at least three times what he makes at Parramatta. And if he dominates in French rugby, as expected, the dollars will grow again. Also Radradra has an option in his favour for a second year. Josh a top Dog The high regard in which Josh Reynolds is held at the Bulldogs will only become clear after he leaves the club. Reynolds will be honoured with life membership when his career is over, and there are whispers of an ambassador role. The Bulldogs could do a lot worse than involve their most popular player of the past decade in that kind of role. Dan about town Daniel Tupou was spotted in Tigers territory on Wednesday, walking into the grandstand at Concord Oval while the Tigers were training. This column was told weeks ago that he is set to sign a four-year deal with the Roosters.

Tupou has a number of close mates at the Tigers, and the Roosters think that's why he was in Tigers territory. Bridge too far It didn't go unnoticed by the Blues that while the team was climbing the Harbour Bridge, Robbie Farah was enjoying the bright lights of Vivid below them. Farah still has enormous respect in Blues circles and he sent his best to the team before game one. Farah's replacement, Nathan Peats, missed the bus to the bridge climb, but cabbed it there and made the team event. Interestingly, skipper Boyd Cordner didn't go on the climb in a week where he has been nursing a knee problem, nor did coach Laurie Daley. In good books

Blues players were allowed to break from camp during the week for various reasons. Wade Graham took Wednesday night off to read books to children at a library. It's part of a program he has started and something he is extremely passionate about. At the other end of the scale, the Blues gave 18th man Matt Moylan the day off on Tuesday to attend a Penrith "bonding session".