The NRL wants to ban accredited agents from representing both player and coaches

The days of player managers influencing club rosters could be numbered with the NRL set to ban a controversial practice. Which agents have the most influence at your club? CHECK OUT THE LIST

The NRL is looking to ban player agents from managing players and coaches simultaneously.

The NRL and its 16 clubs are on a collision course with the game’s player agents after gaining unanimous support for a proposed ban on managers simultaneously representing both coaches and players.

It can be revealed the NRL has put a plan in motion to stop the practice that has left clubs frustrated and ceding power in contract negotiations.

Questions were raised this week about powerful player agent Isaac Moses’s handling of John Bateman’s controversial exit from Canberra, as well as his impact at the struggling Brisbane Broncos, where he manages coach Anthony Seibold and a handful of stars.

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Isaac Moses has been in the spotlight on multiple fronts this week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said resolving the conflict of interest that arises from accredited player agents representing both coaches and players was imperative to maintaining the integrity of the player market.

“Where agents are in a position to represent both coaches, whether it is a head or assistant coach, or a recruitment manager, and players, you will have a conflict of interest,” Solly said. “We need to work towards removing that existing conflict.”

The issue was raised at an NRL CEOs meeting late last year and received the full endorsement from all clubs.

The ban was also proposed as a stipulation to the Rugby League Coaches Association receiving funding from the NRL in late 2019. Former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg ignored the recommendation and granted the funding despite the ban not being enforced.

The COVID-19 pandemic put the discussion on the backburner but now the competition is up and running again, the ban is top of the NRL’s agenda.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly has welcomed the proposal to ban agents from managing coaches and players.

Rugby League Coaches Association CEO, Kelly Egan, has welcomed any proposed changes to the current rules.

“We’re always willing to discuss these issues with the NRL and the relevant stakeholders and to look at the merit of such change,” Egan said.

There is a widely held view across the game that allowing managers to represent both coaches and players has proliferated the influence an agent can have over a club’s roster and recruitment strategy.

A leading NRL head coach, speaking on the condition of anonymity, warned maintaining the status quo put clubs in a position where coaches, who are represented by agents, could be seen as making recruitment decisions based on the agent’s player list rather than what was best for that roster.

“At the end of the day it’s a conflict of interest,” the coach said.

“If I was managed by an agent who had players too then those conversations when you are looking to bring a player in are different to am I making the best decision for the club.

“It has been going on for a long time, in the last 10 years it has been more prevalent in the game.”

Coach Ivan Cleary and assistant coach Trent Barrett during Panthers training. Picture: Brett Costello

The NRL is expecting push back from some player managers but it is confident the ban will happen and the governing body is prepared to challenge it in court if necessary.

Some of the game’s top agents also look after the interests of coaches.

George Mimis, who runs SFX Sports, looks after coaches Ivan Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo at Penrith, as well as about 10 Panthers players, including Nathan Cleary, Isaiah Yeo and James Fisher-Harris.

Manly coach Des Hasler calls on Mimis to advise on his contract negotiations. Mimis also has about nine players contracted at the Sea Eagles, including the Trbojevic brothers Jake, Tom and Ben.

Pacific Sports Management, which is run by brothers Chris and Gavin Orr, has Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook and Cronulla coach John Morris listed on its website. As well as Arthur and Holbrook, PSM also represents six Eels players, including Dylan Brown and Ryan Matterson, as well as 11 Titans players.

George Mimis represents NRL coaches including Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.

Moses, who runs Cove Agency, manages Brisbane’s Anthony Seibold and six Broncos players. He also represents former Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough, who is now at Newcastle, and Knights coach Adam O’Brien. Moses also advises recently sacked New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney.

David Riolo, who runs Titan Sports Management, represents Canterbury coach Dean Pay and St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor. Riolo represents eight Dragons players plus James Graham, who left the club to join St Helens last month.

The new rule won’t prohibit coaches from engaging talent management companies or business advisers as representatives, only accredited player agents.

As well as banning accredited agents from representing coaches and players simultaneously, the NRL is exploring a move to have the value of contracts made public for added transparency.

It’s hoped the move will discourage players from breaking contracts.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart criticised the handling of John Bateman’s exist from Canberra.

After agreeing to release Bateman from his contract, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart accused agents of “manipulating” negotiations.

“I feel as though the game really needs to help clubs in regards to how we have to deal with certain managers over the way they agitate clubs and manipulate communications and negotiations to suit them and them only, ” Stuart said.

Bateman’s agent Moses, who is appealing a provisional ban from the NRL, defended his handling of the contract saga.

“My job is to look after the best interests of my clients, which I have always done, without fear or favour … 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,” Moses said.

One senior NRL official said making contract values public would help prevent players becoming ‘pawns’ in their own contract negotiations.

WHO MANAGES WHOM IN THE NRL?

BRONCOS

Isaac Moses (Cove Agency): Clients: Anthony Seibold (coach), Alex Glenn, Matthew Lodge

Sean O’Sullivan, Tevita Pangai Junior, Kotoni Staggs, Jake Turpin, Jordan Kahu.

Sam Ayoub (Ultra Management): Anthony Milford, Thomas Dearden.

George Mimis (SFX Sports Group): Darius Boyd, Kobe Hetherington, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Lachlan Timm.

Chris Orr (Pacific Sports Management): Jack Bird, Brodie Croft, Thomas Flegler, Payne Haas, Jamil Hopoate, Keenan Palasia.

RAIDERS

Isaac Moses: John Bateman, Josh Hodgson.

Sam Ayoub: Curtis Scott, Hudson Young, Jordan Rapana, Michael Oldfield, Nick Cotric.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske (Gillis Schifcofske Sports Management): Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola.

George Mimis: Jarrod Croker, Sam Williams.

Chris Orr: Bailey Simonsson.

John Bateman will leave the Raiders at the end of the season, while Nick Cotric has attracted interest from several clubs for next year. Picture: John McCutcheon

BULLDOGS

Isaac Moses: Jesse Sue, Aiden Tolman.

Sam Ayoub: Kieran Foran, Brandon Wakeham, Joe Stimson, Marcelo Montoya, Sione Katoa.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Dylan Napa

David Riolo (Titan Sports Management): Dean Pay (coach), Adam Elliott, Dean Britt

George Mimis: Ofahiki Ogden

SHARKS

Isaac Moses: Sione Katoa, Aaron Woods.

Sam Ayoub: Briton Nikora, Cameron King, Connor Tracey, Scott Sorenson, Toby Rudolf.

David Riolo: Braden Uele, Blayke Brailey.

George Mimis: Josh Dugan.

Chris Orr: John Morris (coach), Bryson Goodwin, Thomas Hazelton, Nene Macdonald, Kayleb Milne, Jesse Ramien, Chad Townsend.

TITANS

Isaac Moses: Dale Copley, Jarrod Wallace.

Sam Ayoub: Nathan Peats, Tyrone Peachey.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Jonus Pearson, Keegan Hipgrave.

David Riolo: Jai Arrow, Shannon Boyd.

George Mimis: Erin Clark, Darius Farmer, Kea Pere, Mitch Rein.

Chris Orr: Justin Holbrook (coach), Tanah Boyd, Anthony Don, Beau Fermor, Jamal Fogarty, Jaimin Jolliffe, Brian Kelly, Greg Leleisiuao.

SEA EAGLES

Isaac Moses: Jorge Taufua.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Curtis Sironen.

David Riolo: Joel Thompson, Reuben Garrick , Corey Waddell.

George Mimis: Des Hasler (coach), Chad Randall (assistant coach), Brendan Elliott, Topi Taufa, Martin Taupau, Sean Keppie, Ben Trbojevic, Kenneth Koro, Jake Trbojevic, Luke Metcalf, Tom Trbojevic.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler calls on George Mimis to advise on his contract negotiations. Picture: AAP

STORM

Isaac Moses: Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, Marion Seve, Cameron Smith.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Max King.

George Mimis: Jason Ryles (assistant coach), Sandor Earl, Ryley Jacks, Christian Welch.

KNIGHTS

Isaac Moses: Adam O’Brien (coach), Hymel Hunt, David Klemmer, Kurt Mann, Tautau Moga, Enari Tuala, Gehamat Shibasaki, Andrew Mccullough.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Connor Watson.

George Mimis: Danny Buderus (assistant coach), David Furner (assistant coach), Jayden Brailey, Luke Huth, Mason Lino, Daniel Safiti, Jacob Saifiti.

COWBOYS

Isaac Moses: Kyle Feldt, Josh Mcguire, Jordan Mclean, Justin O’Neill.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Gavin Cooper, Jake Granville.

George Mimis: Paul Green (coach), Jake Clifford, Ray Thompson, Coen Hess, Connelly Lemuelu, Michael Morgan, Reece Robson.

EELS

Isaac Moses: Nathan Brown, George Jennings, Michael Jennings, Mitchell Moses, Brad Takairangi.

Sam Ayoub: Andrew Davey, Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson, David Gower, Jaeman Salmon, Junior Paulo, Kane Evans, Reed Mahoney, Waqa Blake.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Ray Stone, Daniel Alvaro.

Chris Orr: Brad Arthur (coach).

Panthers star Nathan Cleary and his father, Ivan, are managed by George Mimis. Picture: Brett Costello

PANTHERS

Sam Ayoub: Brian To’o, James Tamou, Josh Mansour.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Kurt Capewell.

George Mimis: Ivan Cleary (coach), Cameron Ciraldo (assistant coach), Caleb Aekins, James Fisher-Harris, Nathan Cleary, Shannon Harris, Dean Whare, Dylan Edwards, Jerome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Tyrone May, Kade Ellis.

RABBITOHS

Isaac Moses: Ethan Lowe, Jaydn Su’a, Junior Tatola.

Sam Ayoub: Corey Allan, Hame Sele, Tom Amone, Troy Dargan.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Adam Reynolds, Alex Johnston, Cam Murray, Dane Gagai, John Sutton.

George Mimis: Wayne Bennett (coach).

DRAGONS

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Ben Hunt, Cameron McIinnes, Euan Aitken, Jack de Belin, Jacob Host, Korbin Sims, Matt Dufty, Zac Lomax.

David Riolo: Paul McGregor (coach), James Graham, Tariq Sims, Adam Clune, Mikaele Ravalawa, Blake Lawrie, Drew Hutchison, Jackson Ford, Triston Sailor.

George Mimis: Corey Norman, Paul Vaughan.

ROOSTERS

Sam Ayoub: Victor Radley, Lachlan Lam, Daniel Tupou.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Jake Friend, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Verrills.

David Riolo: Craig Fitzgibbon (assistant coach), Boyd Cordner, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Mitch Aubusson.

George Mimis: Luke Keary, Isaac Liu, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Manager David Riolo has a big stable of stars at the Dragons.

WARRIORS

Isaac Moses: Stephen Kearney (former coach), Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Blake Green, Kodi Nikorima.

Steve Gillis/Clinton Schifcofske: Lesson Ah Mau.

George Mimis: Bunty Afoa, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Taane Milne, Lachlan Burr, Patrick Herbert, Jack Murchie, Jackson Frei, David Fusitu’a, Peta Hiku, Ken Maumalo, Israel Ogden, Agnatius Paasi.

WESTS TIGERS

Isaac Moses: Luke Brooks, Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings, Tommy Talau, Billy Walters.

Sam Ayoub: Adam Doueihi, David Nofoaluma.

George Mimis: Brett Hodgson (assistant coach), Oliver Clark, Tom Mikaele, Chris Lawrence, Russell Packer, Jordin Leiu, Josh Reynolds, Joseph Leilua.