Arthur not banking on Moses NRL release

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur isn't expecting a Mitchell Moses mid-season switch despite the five-eighth wanting a release from his West Tigers contract.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has all but accepted Mitchell Moses won't be part of the Eels 2017 premiership campaign.

Widely tipped to join Parramatta in a mid-season switch from the Wests Tigers, Moses now appears certain to remain at Concord for the rest of the season.

"Mitchell Moses is a Wests Tigers player," Arthur said.

"Whatever happens there is their decision. All we can worry about is us trying to back up last week's win and go from there."

Arthur denied he had planned on Moses' immediate inclusion following the Eels' win over the Tigers last week after the five-eighth requested a mid-season release.

"I've made the mistake of that in the past, thinking about what might be. We can only worry about what is," Arthur said on Friday ahead of the Eels' clash against Penrith.

"I've left it with our management and their management. We're very happy with the team we've got that can get the job done."

Arthur said last year's turbulent season had helped his team narrow their focus on football rather than be distractions such as the possible early arrival of Moses.

The Eels were considered premiership material last year after Kieran Foran's signing before he quit mid-season.

The club was punished for salary cap cheating.

"Last year we went through week to week of stuff that we couldn't control," Arthur said.

Arthur is backing stand-in five-eighth Brad Takairangi to do the job against Penrith as he waits on fullback Bevan French to return from a knee injury.

Clint Gutherson will play fullback before reverting to the halves when French's return.

"You've got to try and prepare for these situations because of the way the salary cap is, you can't stockpile quality halves," Arthur said.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/04/21/arthur-not-banking-moses-nrl-release

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  • It's funny how Cleary can back out of his contract with Lebanon but Moses can't. It's funny how the wheel turns.
    • Or release all those players at Panthers, or sign for Panthers mid way through his Warriors contract. 

      Be careful what you say, cause you'll come off sounding like a hypocrite. 

  • Forget it, won't happen now that the other two have jumped.
  • Tigers are well and truly in trouble they now need all the money they can get in next years cap. Moses has to be released now so they go can shopping with the most amount possible tigers are just playing hardball. Expect moses in blue and gold as soon as brooks is fit
    • Yep, thought the same.
    • I agree
    • That's the most obvious outcome
    • The Tigers still need to win games this year, and they'll do that better with Moses on the field. Now that Woods and Tedesco are leaving anyway they can't use whatever cap space they would have freed up letting Moses go early.

    • If BA is still chattering about it then there's still a chance it's happening behind the scenes . It would make sense that as soon at the Tigers were out of contention they'd release him and front load a few that are staying . Well I would anyway .
  • The tough part in all of this will be every time Moses misses a tackle or a kick for goal, or puts in a poor kick - the cry will go up that his heart isn't in it, he isn't trying etc etc

    Not a good look for the player or the club , reality is that players should honour their contracts, but the way the Tigers handled this particular issue does make this case seem different
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