CONTROVERSIAL player agent Liam Pickering “unlawfully” took $90,000 from Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury, a court has heard.

The claim was the latest in a litany of complaints about the high-flying manager’s business dealings which are being played out in an explosive Supreme Court trial.

The Magpies skipper asked Pickering why he was still claiming a cut of his contract and endorsements in October last year, more than two months after they parted ways.

Pendlebury chose to stay with Strategic Management after Pickering walked out, ditching former business partner Jason Sourasis.

media_camera Player agent Liam Pickering outside the Supreme Court. Picture: Stuart Milligan

David Denton QC, for Sourasis and Strategic, told the Supreme Court yesterday that Pickering’s new company Precision Sports was “taking money belonging to Pendlebury”.

Denton said Precision transferred payments totalling $90,000 for Pendlebury on an “unlawful basis” until it was “called out” by the Collingwood champion.

media_camera Scott Pendlebury noticed the additional payments. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

“I’m slightly confused because I actually thought I was still with the company I signed with,” Pendlebury emailed to his former manager.

“I don’t intend to be in the middle of a s...fight between you and Jason (Sourasis).”

The money was returned to Pendlebury. Michael Osborne QC, for Precision and Pickering, said no claim had been made by Strategic and Mr Sourasis for the “Pendlebury commission”.

It came as Denton suggested high-profile AFL players could be called to give evidence in the trial about Pickering’s “scheme of appalling intent” to poach players to his new agency.

Denton said Sourassis and Strategic were owed $625,000 by Pickering’s new company for commissions from players originally represented by Strategic.

He said that claim would be “considerably higher” once he received documents detailing the contracts of four coaches, including four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alistair Clarkson.

Denton was quizzed by Justice Michael Sifris about how he planned to prove his claims without calling players like Lance Franklin, who Pickering signed to a $10 million deal with Sydney, to testify.

media_camera Franklin’s $10 million deal with Sydney was among the contracts signed by Mr Pickering before he left.

Denton said he believed the documents spoke for themselves but said “we will not hesitate” to call players.

He said Pickering negotiated Franklin’s deal to leave Hawthorn but the star forward did not sign a representation agreement with Pickering until May last year, days after the agent walked out.

Sourasis was also upset Pickering signed marketing deals for Franklin and Gary Ablett Jnr with Nike and Adidas without his involvement.

tom.minear@news.com.au

@tminear