However, Manly have moved the goalposts and angered one of their favourite sons, who has had enough of the politics from the club's management.

Trbojevic's agent met with Manly general manager Peter Gentle during the week. There was an understanding between the two parties that Trbojevic would be given a contract worth about $850,000 to $900,000 a year for three years.

Trbojevic was comfortable with the situation. It just required board approval. At that point, he was ready to knock back interest from UK Super League clubs to stay at Manly because he felt wanted by the Sea Eagles despite his reservations about the club.

You can imagine his disappointment then when the club reached out around the time Chammas' story went live on Friday to inform Trbojevic's agent that their offer was close to $100,000 a season less than originally discussed.

Complicating matters is the uncertainty around who made the decision. Did the board demand the salary be reduced or did chief executive Tony Mestrov order Gentle to offer less than originally discussed?