The player agent of former Collingwood defender Alan Toovey has served a writ on the AFL Players Association and one of its former key managers, alleging conspiracy and seeking damages for alleged misleading or deceptive conduct. 

Fairfax Media has received a copy of the document lodged by player agent Jim Marinis in the Supreme Court of Western Australia against the players association, former general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast, who is now with rugby league, and Braden Stokes, who remains in player relations with the PA. 

In his writ lodged days before Christmas, Marinis is seeking recompense for an email Prendergast sent to clubs in 2011 instructing them not to deal with Marinis – he wasn't officially accredited – and for the alleged manner in which he was treated after his failed 2012 agents exam, including alleged comments made about him to prospective draftees and TAC club regional managers. 

The players association and Prendergast did not wish to comment when contacted on Saturday.  However, it's understood the association will fight the claims and believes they are without substance. 

Marinis was negotiating Toovey's contract in 2011 when the players association and Prendergast told clubs not to deal with him.  He said at the time he was not an official agent but was a director of a company of agents, Sports Marketing Agency, and another of his colleagues, Perth lawyer Gavin Jahn, was accredited.  He was still able to remain Toovey's agent for all matters apart from being able to negotiate the player's contract.