Isaac Moses, a prominent NRL player agent, is growing his clientele at the Wests Tigers, potentially repeating history.Moses was at the centre of discussions in 2017, when the Tigers lost talents James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, and Mitchell Moses all in the same season.Moses was deregistered by the NRL for 18 months between 2021 and 2022, although he has since resumed his position as the game’s most prominent player agent.
According to The SMH, Tigers emerging gun Jahream Bula is close to signing with Moses, who also represents budding talent Lachlan Galvin.
Moses is already at odds with the Tigers over the future of another client, John Bateman, who appears destined to join Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs.
Bula is looking for a new agency after his former manager, Liam Ayoub, joined the Bulldogs as a recruiter.
The 22-year-old fullback has signed with the Tigers until the end of 2027, with a contract worth up to $900,000 per season.
Bula is regarded as the club’s future, but Moses may seek to renegotiate his contract to ensure that the controversial agent receives his commission.
Bateman and Tigers coach Benji Marshall clashed earlier this year over perceived unfair treatment, and the Englishman was loaned out to Warrington in July.
Marshall wants him gone, but Bateman, who is still in England, has two years remaining on his contract earning $650,000 per season.
The Tigers have offered to pay up to $350,000 a season for Bateman’s contract, and the backrower is currently in talks with Souths.
It comes after the Tigers contacted the Rugby League Players’ Association last month to enquire about Bateman’s leave rights and the exact date he will return to training.
The RLPA investigated the collective bargaining agreement for loan deals and determined that Bateman was expected to show up to work on December 21.
That was the final day of pre-season before the two-week Christmas break, and the Tigers made it difficult for the 31-year-old by insisting he travel back from England and attend one day of training.
But Moses was able to amend the RLPA’s return date by submitting evidence that his client attended business engagements in the week following the Wolves’ final game, effectively extending his yearly leave.
JD LANDS A NEW GIG.
Former Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has accepted a new position at rugby league nursery Westfields Sports High School.
Souths fired Demetriou earlier this year after a startling collapse at the team he took over following their appearance in the 2021 grand final.
The 48-year-old, who is also Papua New Guinea’s coach, will join the elite school, which has produced several NRL stars in the past.
“We are excited to announce that Jason Demetriou will lead the coaching staff at Westfields Sports High School Rugby League program,” the school stated on social media.
” Jason’s wealth of experience and proven track record in the NRL provide invaluable expertise to our players, assisting in the development of the next generation of rugby league talent.”
“Jason’s leadership and commitment to player development will be invaluable as we continue to build on Westfields Sports’ rich record of success.
“We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our program and student-athletes.”
NRL players who attended Westfields Sports High School include Blake Green, Luke O’Donnell, Isaac Luke, Tony Williams, Israel Folau, Krisnan Inu, Trent Hodkinson, Jarryd Hayne, David Klemmer, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jason Saab, Lindsay Smith, Blaze Talagi, and Lachie Galvin.
DOLPHINS STAR COULD MISS 2025.
Tom Flegler, the Dolphins’ test prop, may miss the entire 2025 NRL season, according to coach Kristian Woolf.
Flegler underwent surgery to treat a significant nerve lesion in his shoulder. Though there is hope that his career is not ended, his recovery appears to be a long-term proposition.
He has not played since Round 5 this year.
Woolf stated that his best-case scenario was a mid-season return, while his worst-case situation was spending the entire season on the bench.
“He had surgery at the end of last season and it’s a waiting game to see how the shoulder responds,” Woolf recounted to CODE Sports.
“We’ll get checkpoints along the way to figure out what happens next and how long till he’s ready to play.
“That might fall between mid-season (2025) and the beginning of 2026.
“All indications are the surgery went really well and everyone is really positive that he’ll be looking to get back on the pitch somewhere in that time frame.”
The Dolphins’ pack has been strengthened by the addition of NSW State of Origin prop Daniel Saifiti from Newcastle, while Maroons forward Tom Gilbert returns from an ACL injury that sidelined him last season.
However, Flegler’s continued absence is a major setback, given the huge Queenslander had established himself as an outstanding front-rower prior to the shoulder injury.
Cowboys’ Three-Way Shootout
A genuine three-way competition for North Queensland’s halfback position is starting, according to Cowboys coach Todd Payten, ahead of a season in which his team should be a premiership contender.
With veteran No.7 Chad Townsend moving to the Roosters, Jake Clifford and two younger prospects will compete to partner Kangaroos star Tom Dearden in the halves.
“I’ve spoken openly about our halfback position being up for grabs,” Payten stated on Triple M.
“It’s a three-way battle between Tom Duffy, Jaxon Purdue, and Jake Clifford, all of whom are quite skilled.
“What has occurred in the past is immaterial. It is about what we do during training. To gain a position in Round 1, you must first talk well, kick well, and tackle well, and then develop your game around those three skills.
“There is also a left centre spot up for grabs with Val going to the Dragons, with Zac Laybutt, Braidon Burns, Semi Valemei, Murray Taulagi, Tom Chester and Jaxson Paulo all able to play there.”
Payten also praised the arrival of Kane Lawton, whom he previously coached with the Warriors, as a hooker with Reece Robson. The 29-year-old has arrived from Manly in good shape.
“This is a pretty big wrap, but he is a younger version of Jake Granville,” Payten told the audience.
“He’s a tremendously positive person to have in the group. He functions as the social glue of the group. He is constantly optimistic. He is a tough child. If he’s half as good for us as Jakey Granville was, we’re in for a great player.”
DCE impressed by potential heirs.
Manly Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has been impressed by youngster Joey Walsh, who is expected to take over the Sea Eagles’ No.7 shirt in the long run.
Walsh, a youth rugby union and rugby league standout, was named to the CABE youth Blues squad for 2022, with Panthers talents Jesse McLean and Blaize Talagi, Tigers forward Samuela Fainu, and Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart.
The 18-year-old phenom signed a three-year contract with the Sea Eagles in July after spending time in the Sydney Roosters’ pathways system.
In an interview with Zero Tackle, Cherry-Evans praised the youthful playmaker who will join the club’s top 30 roster in 2025.
“He’s electric, fantastic young player with all of the skills and abilities,” Cherry-Evans told Zero Tackle.
“I only met him once, but he was a lovely child, and I believe he will absorb everything our club and the game have to offer.
“No doubt he’s going to be there one day playing for Manly for sure.”
Manly coach Anthony Seibold believes Walsh may be a potential Sea Eagles halfback once Cherry-Evans retires.
“Joey is a Northern Beaches boy who attended St Augustine’s College in Brookvale.” “He was an elite schoolboy rugby player who captained the Australian U18 side at flyhalf,” Seibold explained.
“He has played junior representative rugby league and is someone we have been following for the past 18 months. We believe Joey has the potential to play in the National Rugby League in the future.
“The transition from union to rugby league means he will have a lot to learn in his first year, but we believe he has the potential to be an elite halfback.”
“We have some pretty good players who can mentor him, as well as some really good instructors to help him progress.
“I’m incredibly happy that we were able to provide him this opportunity as a local guy. We believe he can significantly improve his game over the next 12-24 months.
BRONCOS RELEASE OWN LATRELL AS WALSH BACKUP
A Brisbane Broncos recruit is impressing in pre-season training, staking his claim to playing time in the top division in 2025.
Latrell Siegwalt, who the Broncos acquired from the Dolphins in September on a train-and-trial basis, has rapidly made an impression at Red Hill.
Siegwalt won the Hostplus Cup (QLD Cup) rookie of the year award last season after playing for the Dolphins’ reserve grade team.
The Dolphins advanced to the Hostplus Cup final in 2024, thanks in large part to Siegwalt, who can play fullback and five-eighth.
The 23-year-old might be the ideal successor for former Broncos utility Tristan Sailor, who played extensively in 2024 while filling in for Reece Walsh.
Sailor has since left the Broncos to sign a contract in the Super League.
Siegwalt, who hails from Wagga Wagga in regional New South Wales, has had a meteoric rise in rugby league in 2024.
Former Dolphins assistant Ben Te’o noticed him at the 2023 Koori Knockout.
Te’o offered Siegwalt a contract with the Dolphins, and he rewarded the coach’s interest with a strong first season in the Hostplus Cup.
The Broncos clearly liked what they saw and grabbed Siegwalt from under the Dolphins’ noses.
Te’o also joined the Broncos as an assistant on Michael Maguire’s new coaching staff.
Broncos head of recruitment Simon Scanlan is enthused about Siegwalt’s future.
“Latrell came up from Wagga Wagga and played for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup,” he told me.
“He has come into our club and is working extremely hard. Every preseason is difficult, and they all will be, but he is doing an excellent job thus far.
“He is a natural football player with excellent vision and reflexes.
“One of the main reasons we brought Latrell in is his ability to play two vital positions well.
“Despite his age, he is still in the early stages of his NRL career. He will have every opportunity to go through our system at the Broncos.”
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