NRL Power Broker or Puppet Master? The Rise, Fall, and Unchecked Influence of Isaac Moses

At a time when scrutiny on NRL player agents is mounting, few wield as much influence—or controversy—as Isaac Moses. Rising from humble beginnings, Moses graduated from Parramatta Marist High School and began his career in sports administration at ANZ Stadium, working under then-future NRL and Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg. He soon transitioned into player management, initially partnering with established agents before launching his own venture, Cove Agency.

Today, Moses commands one of the most formidable stables in the game. His client list includes top-tier talent like Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks, along with emerging stars such as Lachlan Galvin and Blaize Talagi. More significantly, Moses doesn’t just manage players—he also represents several NRL head coaches, including Adam O’Brien (Newcastle), Shane Flanagan (St George Illawarra), Anthony Seibold (Manly), Andrew Webster (New Zealand), and Todd Payten (North Queensland). This dual representation has afforded him unparalleled reach across the league, making him a central figure in many recruitment and retention discussions.

However, with power comes controversy. Moses has twice been sanctioned by the NRL—first for his involvement in the Melbourne Storm’s infamous salary cap breach, and later for interfering with an investigation into the Parramatta Eels. His deregistration in 2021, later overturned after 18 months, did little to diminish his clout. Yet, some clubs, such as the Sydney Roosters, outright refuse to engage with him, citing concerns about his influence. Critics accuse Moses of manipulating rosters by directing players to clubs where he also represents the coach—a potential conflict of interest the NRL has acknowledged but failed to address through reform.