There are concerns that Eels star Mitch Moses could try and force his way out of Parramatta given the mess the club finds itself in.
Expected to contend for a premiership in 2024, things have been ugly for the Eels this season in several aspects, notably the sacking of coach Brad Arthur following Magic Round back in May.
Their form on field has been poor, with the Eels fighting out with the lowly Tigers for a wooden spoon. Their recruitment issues have also come under the spotlight with Parramatta juniors Blaize Talagi, Matt Arthur and Ethan Sanders all set to leave at season’s end.
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Fox League’s James Hooper wondered why Moses would want to stay at the Eels given their horror year and that any sort of club success doesn’t look likely in the near future.
Like many players on the roster, Moses has a clause in his contract that will allow him to walk at the end of 2026 if he wishes.
“He’s got that get out clause. This worries me Braith and it’s only my opinion, but I don’t think he’ll stay at Parramatta long-term,” Hooper said on NRL360.
“He’s 29 now, 30 in September. He’s done everything in the game, won a State of Origin series, the last piece of the puzzle is winning a premiership and in my opinion he’s good enough to drive a team towards a premiership.
“There’s mail around that there are conversations going on and of course he’d be restless, have a look at the way the joint has been run at the moment.
“They’ve lost all their gun juniors, Will Penisini has a get out clause next year, Moses has a get out clause after 2026.
“My opinion is that I don’t think he’ll see that out.
“I don’t know what they do, all I’m saying is that I have a genuine belief is that he doesn’t see out that contract.”
With the Eels needing a new coach from next season, Jason Ryles was picked to lead Parramatta out of the hole it’s in.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said the Moses chat is premature given Ryles hasn’t had time to prove his worth.
“I think we’ve got to hold fire for six weeks as Jason Ryles is a very, very impressive fella and I think Rylesy needs to come in and if you give him some time, he’ll win these players over,” Rothfield said.
“I don’t know that, but I just know he’s impressive.”
Veteran Kiwi calls time on famed career | 00:33
It has been a rough start for the incoming coach with highly touted rookies Talagi and Arthur announcing their desire to play elsewhere since he was signed as coach for next year.
The loss of Talagi is a hard one to swallow, given he was handed his first crack in the NRL earlier this season and the platform to strut his stuff before ultimately turning his back on the club.
The loss of gun juniors like Talagi, Arthur and Sanders is a hammer blow and one could set the Eels back.
“Are Parramatta going to be in premiership contention in the next three-four years?” Hooper asked Rothfield to which the veteran journalist replied with: “I think they could be. Look at what the Bulldogs and the Dragons have done (this season).”
“But they were slow and long rebuilds. It took them a long time to get to that point,” Hooper said.
“With all due respect to Rylesy, I feel sorry for him because I feel like the Eels have absolutely sold him a pup with the way with what they’ve shown him under the bonnet and with the mess the club is now in, and the administrators are to blame.
“I don’t think it’s a quick fix.”
Hooper’s Moses concerns come after it was revealed by Rothfield that one of the key members of the under fire Eels front office would be leaving his position at the club at the end of next season.
Veteran Kiwi calls time on famed career | 00:33
“Long suffering Eels fans, probably some good news to reveal here is that their chairman Sean McElduff will finish up next year,” Rothfield said.
“This is how their constitution works; you can only do nine years on their board before stepping aside for fresh people.
“His ninth season is next year so this time next year he’ll be packing his bags.
“I’ve been banging on about their corporate governance. No footy nous, too many bean counters.
“This is an opportunity for a business savvy ex legend to come onto this board and steer them better than what the current guys have been doing.”
Source Agencies
