Mitchell Moses to play out the season with the Wests Tigers

The circus surrounding where Mitchell Moses might play for the rest of the season is over, with the five-eighth to remain at Wests Tigers for the remaining 18 rounds.“Mitchell is staying for the remainder of the season,” coach Ivan Cleary said last night.The nine-member Tigers board met last night but it was a scheduled meeting rather than one called to discuss the Moses situation, or other recruitment-retention issues.Moses was seen leaving the Concord Oval offices of the club yesterday. The Tigers on Sunday lost 22-26 to Parramatta, the club Moses is joining next season after becoming disillusioned over his place in the Tigers’ pecking order of player retention.The fact Cleary has now drawn a line in the sand means the bombardment of speculation and innuendo can stop.Cleary has said several times that he is “old school” and feels players should see out their contracts, even if they are moving on at season’s end.Moses’ Tigers teammates had been in the dark on his playing future until late yesterday, with forward Sauaso Sue saying, “it’s all up in the air at the moment”.“He spoke to us before the Cowboys game and let us know what’s happening and that’s what has been said. But not since then.“I want him to stay and he’s here at training today so I’m expecting him to stay this week.”A day after telling the media he “wouldn’t have a clue” what was happening with his contract, Moses arrived early at the Tigers headquarters before joining the team at an off-site recovery session. He didn’t speak to reporters when he left later in the day.Sue said his Tigers teammates would love Moses to rethink his move to Parramatta and said some may have tried to change his mind.“A lot of us probably have (tried),” Sue said. “We’d love him to stay. I hope he backflips like Teddy (James Tedesco) did with Canberra. I hope he stays.”Eels coach Brad Arthur said yesterday that speculation over the immediate future of Moses had not caused his team any disruption, although No 7 Corey Norman and skipper Tim Mannah last week said they would love to see the 22-year-old join them as soon as possible.“We’re fine. Brad Takairangi did a good job for us at five-eighth and Gutho (Clint Gutherson) was great at fullback. If Mitch comes earlier then great, and if not, we’ll see him next year,” Arthur said before the Tigers announced they would be hanging on to him for the 2017 season.Wests Tigers yesterday officially announced the retention of Moses’ halves partner and longtime friend Luke Brooks until the end of the 2019 season.A Wests Tigers junior, Brooks said he was delighted to remain with the club he grew up supporting.“I’m definitely excited to be a part of the future at Wests Tigers,” Brooks said. “With the new coach Ivan Cleary coming in, there’s a lot of energy around the club and it’s exciting to be a part of that.“I’ve always been at the club and I love this club, so I think that made it a lot easier for me to stay here. I’ve played for a few years now and I really want to step up and take control of this team.“I’m looking forward to growing further as a player and a person off the field, and doing that here at Wests Tigers.”Cleary said he looked forward to working with Brooks over the coming two seasons.“We’re really excited to have Luke commit his future to Wests Tigers,” he said.“He has the opportunity to play a leading role in building this club towards its true potential.”Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said the he was impressed with the way that Brooks was maturing both on and off the field.“Luke’s an impressive young man and we’re thrilled that he has chosen to extend his stay with the club for a further two seasons,” he said.

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Replies

Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst April 19, 2017 at 7:00am

I'm hearing he plays one more game for the tigers.
- Parra fan 91 > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst April 19, 2017 at 3:32pm
  
  Really ?
luk3_182 April 19, 2017 at 7:03am

Will be interesting to see what happens if they continue to loose. Fans will be screaming to punt him straight away.

I dont buy this.
Big Kev the Eel April 19, 2017 at 7:05am

We look like clowns once again. It hurts to be an Eel.
- Camo73 > Big Kev the Eel April 19, 2017 at 7:23am
  
  It always hurts being an Eels fan. I was at the game on Monday and couldn't enjoy it until the final whistle went. I was waiting for them to score a last minute try and break our hearts again.
- Tin Tim > Big Kev the Eel April 19, 2017 at 7:39am
  
  Agree, we don't look like clowns. The people reporting look the fools to me.
- Eel for life > Big Kev the Eel April 19, 2017 at 8:43am
  
  I disagree. The tigers were trying to play hardball with the Eels wanting a player swap. It's great to see the club has learnt from its mistakes of last year. Why give up a player for moses when all you have to do is wait until next season and you have both. Screw the tigers, i believe this is a smart option by the eels.
- Mitchy > Big Kev the Eel April 19, 2017 at 4:37pm
  
  How are we clowns Big Kev
Shawn peters April 19, 2017 at 7:22am

Thats what exactly what i wanted to here more negitive news, prob due for a drug scandel yet
Ed April 19, 2017 at 7:24am

If he comes early it's a bonus but if he doesn't lets get on with life Norman needs toasted up he's on big money