Former Parramatta lower grader Brad Murray has told a Sydney court he was put under 'duress' by the club and lied to police to save his career as the NRL's match-fixing controversy took an extraordinary twist on Monday.
Giving evidence in the case against colourful ex-NRL star John Elias at Sydney's Downing Centre local court, Murray said he made up allegations that his manager Sam Ayoub told him of a planned betting rort surrounding the round 24 Cowboys-Bulldogs match in 2010.
There was a huge plunge on the Cowboys to score the first points via a penalty goal, with Ayoub's client, Canterbury prop Ryan Tandy, giving away a penalty in the first two minutes.
The sting failed when the Cowboys took a tap kick and scored a try.
Elias is accused of attempting to gain financial advantage by deception after placing bets on the first scoring option after allegedly receiving 'knowledge' of the scam.
Elias is not accused of having any role in planning the alleged rort.
Tandy was last month convicted of match fixing and handed a 12-month good behaviour bond and fined $4000 for his role in the scandal.
In his original police statement, Murray admitted he knew of the sting after being told by Ayoub it was all 'set-up'.
He also told police Ayoub told him to place bets at various betting agencies.
But in court on Monday Murray had changed his tune, declaring under oath that Ayoub had not mentioned anything about a rort but had requested he place bets on the Cowboys scoring first from a penalty.
Murray, who was living with Ayoub and his family at the time, told the court he lied in his original statement because he feared his career would be over if he didn't.
"I was put under immense pressure and duress by my ex-football club (Parramatta)," Murray told the court.
"I thought this was going to be the only way I could save my football career."
The case continues.