The legendary former star has issued a warning in the week when Salford City Reds have seen another young home grown player – Stefan Ratchford – prised away from the Willows to rivals Warrington.
Murphy told MEN Sport: “It is extremely tough on clubs like Salford when this keeps happening but the agents are solely to blame in my view.
“They are setting up deals to guarantee themselves the biggest cut but it is the clubs losing the players who suffer.
“Players used to go into a board room to be told by the club what the offer was.
“Now the agents are the ones calling the tune and setting the agenda to club officials.
“Take the case of Kyle Eastmond at Saints – you are not telling me he woke up one morning and said he wanted to play Rugby Union.
“We have also lost Chris Ashton to Union – I know it is a short career but if we are not careful our game will be harmed in the long run by what is happening with the agents.
“When they first came into operation I warned Maurice Lindsay, the then Wigan chairman, what would happen.
“He claimed it was great for the high profile stars to have representatives but, in my view, the agents are too powerful and there is a limit to everything.
“The long-term effect on our game could have serious repercussions and the agents must remember money doesn't always make a player happy.
“All the agents care about is getting their cut and what is happening makes it hard for a lot of clubs. Rangi Chase is playing well for Castleford but it is now said he will be moving on so where does that leave Castleford?
“Something needs to be done with the influence of agents before the situation gets out of hand.
“I have nothing against people speaking up for others but the clubs are finding themselves in a very precarious position because of how the agents are operating and moving players around.”
On the field, meanwhile, Swinton Lions can take a major step towards lifting the Championship One trophy today with a win at London Skolars but coach Steve McCormack is keen to play down what could be a significant day for the Lions.
Swinton have lost just two Championship games this term. but McCormack said: “We have been preparing for what could be a very tough test at London. The Skolars have been going well and we will have to be at our best.”
Oldham host Workington tomorrow and chairman Chris Hamilton wants the Roughyeds to build on their fine win over Keighley last week.
He said: “We turned in a terrific display last week and we are keen to climb the table.
“We are already gearing up for the play-offs, we are familiar with the mental toughness needed in these games – no other club at our level has more experience of play-off football."
Rochdale Hornets travel to South Wales tomorrow.
In Super League Warrington host Bradford.
Saints are in action at Castleford.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Leigh travel to Hunslet and Widnes host Batley.
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But how can agents have a big effect, the salary cap is supposed to make it a level playing field, are some clubs fields not as level as others?
warringtons well had brown paper bags flying about for a while now
Scrap the cap it's simply not working. Clubs are struggling financially anyway.
Alex Murphy is right. Players' agents have little or no regard for the game of rugby, their only concern is their cut of the proceeds. Their actions are going to make the SL as lop-sided as ever. How does a struggling club gain spectators when every year their leading player(s) are lured to the big spenders?. A strict limit on rosters and a level salary cap plus a year end draft of excess players by the smaller clubs. I believe that raiding clubs should be penalized to deter such actions. You can't blame the players -they go where the money is. But the league is being eroded and funding via attendance will fall. And then where will the SL be? Torred
Alex was a great star on the field many seasons ago and he's still one today for alerting the rugby league public about today's flaws in the game.
You tell 'em Alex! It's experts like him who are very much needed in today's over commercialised rugby league. Well said, keep it coming Alex.
Alex, I loved watching and listening to you, Rugby leagues Brian Clough, but sadly player managers are here and chasing every dollar they can, regardless. As for Eastmond and you'll hate this, Rugby Union has more to offer apart from money at International level, that's why he went but he's no Alex Murphy so don't worry.
Development, opportunity and genuine working relationships with the amateur game should be the British games agenda. Get rid of the parasites at the top (Lewis and Co), get people in charge who can make hard decisions,who believe we can be the best and who live and die by their actions. Keep the faith Alex.