An aspiring NRL player who took legal action against Manly for allegedly reneging on a contract extension has reached a settlement with the Sea Eagles out of court.
Promising back-rower Jordan Latham was seeking damages from the club in what shaped as a landmark case for what he believed was a backflip on a deal which prevented him from pushing for an NRL debut.
Settlement: Jordan Latham and Manly Sea Eagles have settled the pay dispute out of court. Photo: Wolter PeetersThe ex-Sea Eagles lower grader was seeking the courts to make a decision on whether a $55,000 offer made to him at the end of the 2015 season should have been honoured.
Latham, who didn't sign an NRL contract, was set to be made a full-time member of Manly's squad last season under the plans of former coach Geoff Toovey and both parties had reached an agreement on a fee, which was in writing.
But when Toovey was axed Latham wasn't part of the Sea Eagles' plans and the offer was taken off the table, prompting Latham's legal team to launch a case against the NRL club which has now been finalised. Details of the settlement remain undisclosed.
"I'm very happy it's all over and it's all done with," Latham said.
"It's a milestone and shows that this can happen and hopefully it can turn it around for a few other guys as well and maybe give them the confidence to do this also [if they're in a similar situation]."
The Sea Eagles argued the agreement wasn't a binding one with Latham as no NRL contract had been signed.
Having had his plans aborted so close to the start of the 2016 campaign, Latham was forced to run around for the Asquith Magpies and lamented as he watched Trent Barrett's side suffer an enormous injury toll which could have paved the way for a first grade bow.
But Latham has secured a deal with the Parramatta Eels' Intrust Super Premiership feeder side Wentworthville this year and still hopes to eventually make an impression at NRL level.
"I'm looking forward to getting back into the system," Latham said.
Manly declined to comment on Latham. It is one less courtroom brawl the Sea Eagles won't have to worry about after Toovey's former assistant Steve Georgallis was late last year awarded more than $44,000 by the District Court over a breach of contract. They were also ordered to pay 70 per cent of Georgallis' costs.
Manly have also been embroiled in a bitter stoush with former major sponsor Coco Joy.
Meantime, Wests Tigers hooker Matt Ballin said last season's disappointment has taught him the importance of patience as he looks to lock down the starting rake role this season. Ballin was sidelined due to a knee reconstruction as the club wrestled with the Robbie Farah-Jason Taylor feud.
"The biggest thing I probably learnt out of last year was patience in that injuries take time to heal, don't rush things and in the long run that will mean I'll be better off," Ballin said on Tigers TV.
"It's been an empty feeling sitting on the sidelines and not being able to help my teammates. When these things happen I suppose you learn to help them in different ways."
Ballin said his knee was recovering well, but he was no certainty for round one against South Sydney.
"The knee feels really stable and at this point last year I'm now probably a couple of months ahead in my recovery," he said. "It feels really strong at the moment in terms of my agility and in changing direction, but I haven't done much contact stuff yet with the other boys."
Replies
I was wondering where Jordan went as he was one of the better Manly forwards (u20's) in 2014 and he had the C next to his name in the second half of that season. Pre-Barrett there was talk at Manly that he would have played in the NRL in 2015 or 2016 as he would have been one of Manly better second grade players at that time.
I watched a far bit of Jordan play in the u20's and he looked like someone in his second year of 20's that may break into first grade. Its a shame his dream went pear shaped. He has heaps of competition at Parra/Wenty in the frontrow but good luck to him.
The article above is just another example of how clubs sh*t on players (clubs sh*t on players until the player becomes a superstar and then the superstar sh*ts on the club).
He'd be around 23-24. He was in our NYC team along with Kaysa Pritchard.
Wentworthville is about Latham's level, to be honest.
Ron Massey cup Wentworthville. At his absolute best and if he's lucky he gets thought about for an ISP bench spot.
Pretty much.
I can recall us talking about how bad he was during his NYC days here.
I see him play, he is good. Probably better than Moeroa and Mannah.
He couldnt be better than Tim.
You are joking, right?
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