Two prominent NRL agents, Chris Orr and Nash Dawson, have been penalised with suspensions and fines following an alleged street fight in Port Macquarie during the Australian Schoolboys tournament last year. The NRL announced the sanctions, proposing a six-month suspension and a $7,000 fine for Orr, who represents top players like Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes, as well as Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters. Meanwhile, Dawson, whose client list includes Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, faces a nine-month suspension and a $15,000 fine.
The NRL’s statement indicated that both agents are accused of violating the NRL Accredited Agent Scheme Rules and the Accredited Agents’ Code of Conduct due to a physical confrontation during the 2024 Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Championships. Additionally, they allegedly failed to cooperate with the NRL Integrity Unit in its inquiries. The code mandates accredited agents to uphold high standards of personal and professional conduct.
Both Orr and Dawson have been given a five-day window to respond to these proposed sanctions. This development follows closely on the heels of similar penalties issued to fellow player managers Mario Tartak and Matthew Desira for violations of the accredited agent scheme.
As the NRL takes a firm stance on maintaining integrity within the sport, the repercussions for Orr and Dawson highlight the importance of ethical behaviour among agents representing professional players.