The drama again threw the spotlight on the TPA system, particularly given some clubs have greater access to corporate cash than others. NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said in July of last year that TPAs were "something we're going to look at and will form part of the negotiation with the collective bargaining agreement with the players". While the NRL has chosen not to scrap TPAs in its initial offer in CBA negotiations, the RLPA wants the system abolished. In its place, the union proposes they be replaced by "player marketing contracts", that would be independent deals brokered at arm's length from a club. In its initial pitch, the association wanted $1 million spent on the marketing payments per club, although that figure has been reduced in its most recent offer. "Under our proposal there is much more transparency and structure around how players are remunerated which will drive the right behaviour and reduce the integrity-related issues we've seen historically," said RLPA CEO Ian Prendergast. "This is a massive opportunity to increase professional standards across the board so we don't continue to trip ourselves up regarding the grey around some of the arrangements that currently exist." While the salary cap is meant to be the great leveller of talent, the fact some franchises entice only a couple of thousand dollars in TPAs – while others are able to attract a figure in the millions – does little for the notion of a level playing field.

"Our proposal is to introduce more transparency around third-party payments while also improving the commercial model for clubs," Prendergast said. "That includes replacing third-party arrangements with a marketing spend that clubs could use to leverage the commercial arrangements they are entering into in terms of player appearances and IP. They can sell into those sponsorship deals as well as using players more effectively and efficiently to market their club generally speaking." The police inquiry into match fixing found no evidence of organised game rigging and no player or official will be charged in relation to that matter. However, the probe into salary cap rorting is a fresh blow to the Sea Eagles. While the drama has the potential to derail the Sea Eagles commercially, one of its major backers has opted to increase their stake in the club. United Resource Management, already the front-of-jersey sponsor for home games, will extend its partnership for away fixtures. The firm, which has been with the Sea Eagles for two decades, upped its association despite the latest dramas. Meanwhile, the RLPA is seeking a week-long lockdown session with the NRL after the State of Origin decider in an attempt to thrash out a CBA. The situation is coming to a head given the current agreement expires on October 31 and next year's NRL competition will be unlikely to go ahead if a compromise isn't reached.

"The reality is if we can't reach an agreement of what the parameters of the players' working conditions are or the structure the games operate within, it would be difficult to see the competition going ahead," Prendergast said. "We've got people who are committed to doing a deal and I'm confident we'll strike the right balance in time." Loading The Sea Eagles responded to the allegations about secret payments in a statement on Thursday. "The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles confirmed today that there are NO allegations in relation to any irregularities with regard to the club's salary cap," the statement said. "The club prides itself on strong governance and the highest level of integrity and compliance regarding the salary cap. "The club is pleased to see reports that no allegations have been proven in relation to the 12-month match fixing investigation. The club is proud of their record of success and took immediate action by bringing in Ray Murrihy as an integrity consultant as soon as the allegations were made. Ray wrote an extensive report which cleared the club of any governance issues."