‘How dare they’: NRL storm erupts over Mitch Moses move

The NRL has been told to step in over damning accusations levelled at Channel 9 with claims the network has “bent over”.

The NRL has been told to step in over reported drama behind the scenes at Channel 9.

A flamethrower was turned on the network on Tuesday with leading rugby league journalists Andrew Webster and Phil Rothfield revealing new details surrounding Mitchell Moses’ controversial appearance on Nine’s 100% Footy.

As first reported by Code Sports, journalist Michael Chammas was told he would not be needed to perform his regular duties of appearing on the Monday night panel after producers were told the Eels star did not want the reporter to be there.

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According to the report, Moses’ manager Isaac Moses told producers he would consider pulling Moses from his appearance on the show if Chammas was not replaced.

Veteran reporter Danny Weidler took Chammas’ place for the regular segment.

As a result of the network’s decision to bow to the demand made by the footballer and his representatives, several journalists at Nine are reportedly furious.

From left to right: Phil Gould, Mitchell Moses, James Bracey, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen.

Webster and Rothfield have torched the network in the latest edition of their popular Off the record with Buzz and Webby podcast.

Webster said the saga was a “really, really poor look” for Nine.

“It’s weak as piss from Channel 9,” Webster, who has previously been employed by the free-to-air network, said.

“There’s no way that should be allowed. It’s hard for me to talk about because I left the joint last year after many years. I’ve got a lot of people that I love and respect who are still there and it probably is a good indicator for why I’m no longer working for the joint and the frustration you can get there when you’re a journalist trying to do your job.

“Chammas works his guts out. He chases like a greyhound. The only silver lining is that it disproves the theory that he’s in Isaac Moses’ pocket. Because Moses has speared him from being on the show.”

Webster said the NRL should be asking questions about how the incident played out.

“It’s not good. It’s outrageous,” he said.

“The NRL should step in. They’re the host broadcaster. If I’m the NRL I’m going what’s this So player managers now decide who appears on football panels? That’s bulls***.”

Rothfield said: “Who do they think they are? How dare they. I’m so angry about it and it’s got nothing to do with me”.

Moses used the opportunity to urge NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley to stick with him for the upcoming State of Origin series and spoke about his confidence playing alongside another dominant half in Nathan Cleary.

“I feel pretty comfortable playing on the left side of the field, I’ve only pretty much played on the right side because I’m a right-foot kicker and I was predominantly the dominant kicker,” he said on 100% Footy.

“... being able to play in the six with Nathan would be unreal. I’ve never played with a half before that’s taken control and I’ve been able to sit back and pick my opportunities. That excites me ... I feel like that could work.”

Why is Isaac Moses a controversial figure?

Mitch Moses' Channel 9 appearance was full of controversy. Image: Nine

NRL player agent Isaac Moses.

Moses was notably one of the agents banned for six months for his role in the Melbourne Storm salary cap saga.

He was also sensationally deregistered for breaching his obligations as an agent, in relation to an investigation into the Parramatta Eels in 2021.

However, his accreditation was later reinstated after Roosters chairman Nick Politis famously lobbied ARLC chair Peter V’landys to allow him to be a player agent again.

But soon after Moses returned, Politis would come to regret his decision as he reportedly felt blindsided by Moses’ client Joseph Suaalii’s defection to rugby and sensationally declared he would never deal with the agent again.

More recently he seemingly was the man behind Lachlan Galvin’s messy exit from the Tigers.

The player’s agent reportedly had no interest in listening to the Tigers’ offers and informed the club that he had no faith in Marshall’s coaching ability, believing the rookie coach didn’t have the tools to develop his client into a star of the game.

It wasn’t the first time Isaac Moses has ruffled feathers at the joint venture either as he managed James Tedesco, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods and Mitch Moses when they were all coming off contract all at the same time in 2017.

In the end, only Brooks signed a new deal, with the Tigers left licking their wounds after three of their four star players moved to rival clubs and resulted in the club having to go through a rough roster rebuild.

Originally published as ‘How dare they’: NRL storm erupts over Mitch Moses move