The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio has questioned whether the ongoing contract saga involving Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses is causing the playmaker unwanted distractions.
Moses is in the final year of his contract with the Eels and has attracted significant interest from his former club, the Wests Tigers. Reports have suggested Moses will stay with the Eels but wants a five-year deal as opposed to Parramatta’s proposal of four.
Despite having many chances to win the game against the Melbourne Storm in the season opener on Thursday night, it was the Storm who secured a 16-12 golden point win to kick off the 2023 season with a win.
Riccio suggested that the longer Moses doesn’t announce his latest contract, the bigger the distraction he becomes for not only his team but himself as well.
“It’s a perception thing,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It’s the perception that delaying the contract is a distraction when you have a sub par performance.
“Mitchell Moses would admit that it wasn’t his greatest game (on Thursday night) by any means.
“He would be disappointed with the way it ended and with that comes the perception that you’re focused on other things outside of actually getting the job done on the field.
“I was talking with senior Tigers officials an hour before kick-off and they still haven’t been informed if they are out of the race.
“There’s certainly no clarity from the Tigers’ end.
“When you don’t get the job done in a key position like Mitchell is in, it leads to questions that you are distracted.
“Make the call, get it over and done with and move on.”
The Tigers have reportedly tabled an offer of $1.4 million for five years whereas the Eels have offered a $1.25 million deal for four years.
SEN’s Michelle Bishop has revealed that Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh has grown frustrated with Moses and has begged his former club to not give in to the 28-year-olds demands.
“I don’t think (Hindmarsh) is taking a shot at Moses,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He just wants the Eels to be smart and not be pressured by Moses and his contract requests.
“If need be, let him go to the Tigers and move on.
“He’s just concerned about what message this sends because a firm offer and reasonable offer has been put on the table (by the Eels).”
The Eels will look to bounce back in Round 2 when they host the Cronulla Sharks at CommBank Stadium on March 10.
