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The NRL is set to introduce beefed-up anti-tampering rules that will prohibit club officials and player agents from making public or private remarks about the future of contracted players, and ban clubs from shopping players to rival outfits without their permission.
In a line-in-the-sand moment, the NRL will this month inform clubs and agents of their new responsibilities and obligations as they prepare to enforce the game’s new rules from December 1.
Under the new rules drawn up by the NRL and the Rugby League Players’ Association, clubs and agents face sanctions if they either:
- Contact an agent or player to discuss the future of a player if they are not a free agent.
- Make public comment that is deemed to be enticing or inducing a player to break a contract.
- Shop a contracted player from their own club to a rival club without prior permission from that player.
The NRL’s anti-tampering rules have long been a bugbear for fans who have become increasingly sceptical about whether clubs and player agents are observing the November 1 free agency date.
Players are only allowed to negotiate with rival clubs after November 1 in the year leading into their final contracted season, unless they have permission from their incumbent club.
Brisbane’s Payne Haas was free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.Credit: Getty Images
For example, Payne Haas is contracted to the Brisbane Broncos until the end of 2026 but became eligible to speak to clubs for 2027 and beyond on November 1.
After Lachlan Galvin’s messy mid-season move from the Wests Tigers to the Bulldogs, despite the player being contracted until the end of 2026, the NRL has been working to try to tighten the rules.
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Possible sanctions available to the NRL include fines and deregistrations for those who breach the new anti-tampering rules.
Clubs are also prevented from inducing a player to switch clubs before their contract ends.
The NRL wants to send a message to registered club officials and agents who also hold roles in the media.
Among the most prominent figures who hold dual roles in the game include Phil Gould (Nine and Bulldogs), Braith Anasta (Fox and agent), Paul Gallen (Nine and Sharks board), Greg Alexander (Fox and Panthers board), Matthew Johns (Fox and Titans owner), Gorden Tallis (Fox and Titans owner) and Billy Slater (Nine and Queensland Origin coach).
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