Isaac Moses defends departure of John Bateman from Raiders in wake of Ricky Stuart outburst
Player agent Isaac Moses has responded to Ricky Stuart’s attack in the wake of John Bateman’s departure by saying player movement is part of the NRL and his sole concern is to act in the best interests of his clients.
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Leading player manager Isaac Moses has defended his handling of John Bateman’s exit from Canberra and insisted that his sole responsibility is to act in the best interests of his clients without fear or favour.
Moses released a statement to News Corp Australia in response to a withering attack from Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, who claimed that certain player managers used their power to agitate clubs and manipulate communications and negotiations to suit them — and them only.
“It’s not always in the best interests of the player,” Stuart said.
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Moses, who has sought leave to appeal a provisional ban from the NRL after being accused of procuring and assisting former client Tim Mannah to deceive the integrity unit, insisted that he respected Stuart as a player and a coach.
However, he pointed out that player movement — as well as that of coaches — was part of the sport. His sole job, he said, was to act in his client’s best interests.
Canberra would no doubt suggest Moses hasn’t in this case.
Moses argues otherwise, pointing out that he had nothing to do with the clause in Bateman’s contract that opened the door for the Englishman to leave at season’s end.
“Player movement happens both ways, such is the nature of professional sport,” Moses said.
“Look around the NRL – in virtually every single team, including the Raiders, there are players who were signed while under contract with other clubs. When a club decides to move on a player who is under contract it barely gets a mention, but it happens, far more regularly than the other way around.
“A number of head coaches have moved to other clubs mid-contract in recent years for a variety of reasons, on their own accord.
“My job is to look after the best interests of my clients, which I have always done, without fear or favour.”
That stance has riled the Raiders, who took a chance on Bateman when they signed him from Super League side Wigan.
When the deal was struck with Bateman’s former agent, a clause was included that allowed the English international to have his salary reviewed at the end of every season.
The club was true to its word over the off-season but the end result was that Bateman sought permission to test his worth on the open market, seemingly of the belief that he was worth more.
It is understood the Raiders sent an email to Moses in early-March where they acknowledged they would be unable to accommodate him in their salary cap after 2021.
As such, they gave him permission to negotiate with rival clubs, while at the same time reserving the last right of refusal on his services.
The issue dragged on until Tuesday, when Moses informed the Raiders that Bateman would leave at the end of the season.
That prompted Stuart to take Moses to task, singling out his influence at Brisbane and the Warriors. Moses has nearly 10 clients at the Broncos but only four at the Warriors.