Altercation: Willie Peters with the Rabbitohs in 2004. Credit:NRL Photos

Sea Eagles officials viewed CCTV footage from the hotel, which showed that Peters instigated the fight. It occurred while the Manly coaching staff were out having a long lunch and end-of-season drinks in central Sydney.

An angry Peters snapped after a season in which his relationship deteriorated with Ferris, a former conditioner at Gold Coast Titans, and he was the target of what was seen by others inside the club as pranking that probably went too far.

Peters is believed to have viewed the behaviour somewhat differently. Fairfax Media was told by multiple sources on Friday that Peters had complained of being belittled in front of players, of being taunted about his diminutive stature and of other incidents including a ball being thrown at his head on the training field. Sources said Peters had also had glue applied to the keyboard of his computer inside the Sea Eagles' office and that pictures of dwarfs were placed in the dressing room in reference to him.

It is understood Peters took the issue to Barrett earlier in the year and the belief at the club was that had been resolved. That was until he lashed out at Ferris just as the remaining members of the coaching staff still at the pub were beginning to leave shortly before 7pm on Wednesday.