NRL considers sweeping overhaul of player manager regulations

The NRL will consider banning coaches from having player agents as part of a major overhaul of the sector.

The NRL is considering making existing player agents re-apply for accreditation as well as banning coaches from having managers in a sweeping review of the sector.

According to the Off the Record podcast, hosted by The Australian’s Andrew Webster and Sunday Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield, a working group, including the RLPA, clubs and leading player managers, is expected to make wide-ranging recommendations, including tighter regulations around accreditation.

The NRL declined to comment but it is understood it wants a new scheme in place by November 1.

Banning coaches from having representation would be a significant move if the NRL were to implement the change.

For decades, some managers have been accused of “sinking their claws” into clubs, using the power of the coach on the books to sign players they also represent.

Club bosses claim it gives managers leverage when it comes to negotiations — for both the coach and the players they represent. Some claim agents who represent the game’s biggest names can hold a club to ransom if they don’t sign a coach on their books.

The issue has come into sharp focus because of the early season contract sagas involving Dylan Brown, Daly Cherry-Evans, and Lachlan Galvin.

“The NRL aren’t commenting on the proposal because they don’t want to be seen to be reacting to the Lachlan Galvin situation,” Webster said. “But it will be a massive change — it’s a blight on the game. They’ve been talking for years about pulling managers into line and it looks like it is finally going to happen … Certain clubs aren’t categorised by their coach or players but who manages them. Manly is considered an Isaac Moses club. That’s an indictment on Manly for letting that happen.”

Rothfield revealed that Moses and the partnership of Chris and Gavin Orr stand to be most affected.

“Isaac manages 30 per cent of NRL coaches plying their trade in a 17-team competition,” he said. “Adam O’Brien at the Knights, Shane Flanagan at the Dragons, Anthony Seibold at Manly, Toddy Payten at the Cowboys, and Andrew Webster at the Warriors.

“There have been a number of signings, more recently with John Bateman at the Cowboys, there’s been a stack to Manly with Isaac Moses clients. If you manage these coaches, you want to look after your clients. It’s natural to help them succeed. It bumps up their earnings, if they can make the eight, make the four, win a premiership. They get an upgrade and Isaac gets six per cent of that.”

Rothfield also pointed out that managers are conflicted when they have out-of-work coaches on their books.

“The Orrs have Brad Arthur and Jason Demetriou,” he said. “I’ve spoke to the Orrs about this: what happens when they are going for the same job?”

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