One of the key issues at the heart of the $2.5 million lawsuit against high-profile AFL player agent Liam Pickering will be the lucrative nine-year contract Lance "Buddy" Franklin signed with the Sydney Swans in late 2013.

"It's our contract," barrister David Denton, QC, representing Jason Sourasis, owner of Strategic Management Australia AFL (SMAFL), told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Mr Denton said when Mr Pickering was representing Buddy as he signed to play with the Swans until 2022 for a reported $10 million, Mr Pickering was employed by SMAFL, but it received nothing.

He said Mr Pickering and his sidekick, another AFL player agent James Pitcher, had received the commissions and fees for endorsements over the Franklin deal, not SMAFL.

Mr Pickering and Mr Pitcher left SMAFL in May 2014 to set up a rival management company, Precision Sports and Entertainment Group.

Mr Sourasis has alleged he lost more than $2.5 million in commissions and endorsement payments after a total of 31 players and coaches terminated their contracts with SMAFL and later signed up with Precision.

The clients who left to go to Precision included Franklin, Gary Ablett, Jack Riewoldt and Dane Swan and Sydney Swans coach John Longmire.

Agents for AFL players and coaches usually receive between 2-4 per cent of a client's contract with a particular club, as well as a 20 per cent cut from any lucrative endorsement deals organised for clients.

Mr Denton told the court offers were coming in from AFL clubs for players and coaches on the SMAFL's books in late 2013 but were not accepted by Mr Pickering and Mr Pitcher before they left the company on May 1, 2014.

He said the same players and coaches then miraculously signed new contracts with Precision.

Mr Denton claimed Mr Pickering and Mr Pitcher had been "feathering their own nests" at SMAFL's expense to embark on a new venture.

He said the pair had kept Mr Sourasis in the dark about their plans and "when they're gone, we don't know the state of our business at all".

"This is a scheme of appalling intent," Mr Denton said.

The barrister described how news of Buddy's signing with the Swans made worldwide headlines in late 2013 but the champion footballer's deal did not involve SMAFL as Mr Pickering waited until May 6, 2014, before getting Buddy to sign with Precision.

"You've taken that money [the commissions and endorsement fees] from us ... repay us," Mr Denton said.

The barrister claimed Mr Pickering and Mr Pitcher had worked hand-in-glove with Morrows chartered accountants in scheming to take business away from SMAFL before the pair left the company.

Justice Michael Sifris has yet to make a decision on an application from Michael Osborne, QC, for Mr Pickering and Mr Pitcher, to keep details of the players and coaches' contracts and how much they earn confidential.

Asked by the judge on Wednesday how he was going to prove his allegations without calling certain players and coaches to give evidence, Mr Denton said he would be relying on the documents subpoenaed in the case but would not hesitate to call any relevant witnesses if required.

Mr Pickering began working for SMAFL in September 2012 but later complained about Mr Sourasis interfering in the business and allegedly misappropriating funds.

The former Cats player, who is counter-suing Mr Sourasis claiming he engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct, alleged he was effectively duped by Mr Sourasis when agreeing to work with him.

The civil trial continues.