Mitchell Moses’ ongoing contract stalemate with the Parramatta Eels stays the membership’s obtrusive “elephant in the room” after final yr’s grand finalists began their 2023 marketing campaign with back-to-back losses.
The 28-year-old’s enjoying future stays up within the air with contract negotiations leaking into Round 3. According to reviews, the Eels have provided a four-year contract extension, however Moses’ administration is searching for an extended deal.
Speaking to reporters final week, Moses, one of many sport’s most in-demand halfbacks, bristled at solutions his contract saga was a distraction for his teammates.
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“These things take time,” he mentioned.
“People don’t know about the numbers that are involved. I think people are just guessing. Journalists are guessing and reporters are guessing what the numbers are- they’ve got no idea.
“I didn’t put a deadline on it. I would’ve liked it to happen then, but it wasn’t like I said it has to be done. I’ve worried about my footy, and Parramatta have been great with that.
“I’ve got management to make that decision for me. They worry about that side, and I worry about football. That’s what you’ve got management for.
“I’ve just left it with my management and they’ve let me fully focus on football. Hopefully it’s done soon.”
The Eels are at present 0-2 after struggling slim losses to the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks, and the dual defeats has put mounting strain on Moses to place pen to paper.
“The elephant in the room is that he has not one this deal yet with the Eels,” Fox League presenter Jess Yates mentioned on Thursday night.
“At what point does it really start to become a distraction?”
Penrith Panthers legend Greg Alexander responded: “It depends on how the team’s going. If they win, no one will care about it
“If they lose again, the questions will continue being asked
“I still don’t think it is (a distraction), but the longer they lose, the more that it will become an issue.”
Unfortunately for the Eels, they face the Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters within the subsequent three weeks so there may be each likelihood the noise will solely develop louder.
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On Wednesday, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur signed a contract extension, preserving him on the membership till the top of 2025, and Cronulla Sharks ahead Wade Graham steered it might encourage Moses to stick with the Eels.
“I know personally for me, having that stability, playing under the same coach, knowing the system, being confident in that system … having the coach resign an extra year would maybe sway me a little bit,” Graham mentioned.
The Wests Tigers reportedly provided Moses a five-year deal valued at across the $1.3 million per season mark, and Alexander is adamant no different golf equipment are in competition for his signature.
“There would be stories about other clubs if other clubs were interested,” Alexander mentioned.
“There’s no secret in the game … there’s no way they could keep that a secret.
“It seems like it’s the Tigers or Parramatta.
“They’ve got to make sure they keep Mitch Moses,” Alexander continued.
“If Brad Arthur’s going to have success over the next three years, they need to keep the side they have at the moment together.”
The Eels will face the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm AEDT.
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Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
