EXCLUSIVE: ‘Agent Battle’ Exposed as Sea Eagles Find Themselves ‘Held Hostage’ in Daly Cherry-Evans Drama

Andrew Johns has advocated for “consequences” for player agents who overstep their bounds, with the recent contract saga involving Daly Cherry-Evans highlighting an ongoing rivalry.

The 36-year-old Sea Eagles leader surprised many in the rugby league community by announcing his intention to leave the club at the conclusion of the season.

Cherry-Evans rejected Manly’s updated two-year deal on Thursday, and his future now hinges on either joining a rival team in 2026 or opting for retirement.

This contract extension was only offered after Cherry-Evans’ decision to part ways with the Sea Eagles became known, as reported by Nine’s Danny Weidler on Monday evening.

Johns stated on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour that the club’s handling of the situation has not benefitted them.

“The supporters must be feeling let down,” he remarked.

“The way it has been portrayed in the media puts Manly in a poor light, yet there are three perspectives to every issue — his perspective, Manly’s perspective, and the truth.”

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Both Cherry-Evans and Manly have maintained that there are no hard feelings between them, despite the somewhat unusual situation of the halfback and captain deciding to leave his sole club after 15 years, even with a contract extension being available.

However, underlying issues might exist that do not directly involve either party but may instead concern two prominent player agents.

According to league legend-turned-agent Braith Anasta, the rivalry between Isaac Moses and Joe Wehbe could “sub-consciously” be influencing Cherry-Evans’ departure.

“I received messages while I was on air for NRL 360 from several very significant agents,” Anasta revealed to BTFU Sport this week.

“Wehbe previously worked with Moses. Their relationship deteriorated significantly… they split and weren’t partners anymore, and it wasn’t amicable. There’s a considerable amount of animosity between those two, and the implication is that this might be an agents’ war.

“DCE is too composed to allow an agent to dictate his decisions — however, if Wehbe has a motive regarding his client and feels he shouldn’t be in Manly, there’s an understated influence at play, regardless of how you perceive it.”

Moses represents a number of Sea Eagles players as well as head coach Anthony Seibold, while Cherry-Evans is represented by Wehbe.

Roosters captain James Tedesco and new recruit Reece Robson are also managed by Wehbe, which has sparked immediate speculation linking Cherry-Evans to the Bondi club following his announcement to part ways with Manly.

Though much of it remains speculative, Johns discussed the substantial influence powerful managers like Moses wield over clubs and urged the sport’s administrators to take action.

“A survey was conducted among coaches regarding the most pressing issue in the game. Twenty-five per cent indicated player managers,” he noted.

“You often hear tales of managers forming groups of players, holding clubs at ransom.

“There has to be a measure in place within the NRL to regulate them — I’m not sure how, but there must be repercussions for their actions if they go beyond acceptable limits.”