It is going to take more than a not guilty verdict for JDB for the No Fault Standdown Policy to be scrapped for Manase to play before his trial I reckon. I just can’t see the NRL backing down on it unless forced to by the courts, particularly given the clubs do not object to it (you don’t bite the hand that feeds you, of course).
I also don’t think Manly have any ‘special knowledge’ of the case. I see the contract extension purely as a hedge. If he is not guilty, they have locked a very talented player in cheaply (good business). If he is guilty, the contract is void and they won’t have to pay a cent.