The 1989 season was one of disharmony for the Manly club. With Bob Fulton now gone, the club board took back control of the club (popular theory said that Fulton had almost total control during his time as coach). With the first grade side showing poor form, club secretary Doug Daley allegedly approached the playing group at a mid-season training session and offered a release for any player who wished to leave the club. Three days later, Dale Shearer asked for a release only to be denied by Daley who claimed that it was only for the time he offered it and no longer stood. The matter would end up in court and Shearer was granted his release to join the Brisbane Broncos. Also, at the end of the season long serving club captain Paul Vautin was offered only a 1-year contract at approximately half of his reported 1989 salary of AU$95,000. Vautin subsequently left the club to join Eastern Suburbs. Club vice-captain Noel Cleal also faced the same situation and ultimately announced his retirement from playing at the end of the season. Cleal would take up the position of assistant coach with the Hull F.C. club in the English premiership.