Is it time???
For many Eels fans, the answer is already a resounding yes. If Mitch Moses gave up rep footy, it would dramatically improve his chances of getting through a full NRL season—something we’re all desperate to see.
But more broadly, when does it become time for any player to focus solely on club duties?
For me, if your marquee player has managed to play just 14 out of a possible 44 games over the last two seasons, is over 30, and is your club’s most important piece, then the decision should be pretty clear. Sure Cherry Evans played at 35, but he's been extremely fortunate be hardly ever injured, unlike Moses whose played 8 games and 6 games in two seasons for Parramatta respectively. This is honestly joke, it's not the fans being selfish.
Plenty of greats have stepped back from representative football to prolong their club careers: Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Jack Wighton, to name just a few. Smith, for example, retired from Origin in 2018 but still gave Melbourne two more stellar seasons.
The question is—should Parramatta make the first move and start that conversation with Moses? I’d argue they absolutely need to.
Moses hasn’t been fully fit all year. He’s barely goal-kicked when required, and looks hampered even in the few games he’s managed to suit up for the Eels. I gave him the benefit of the doubt heading into the season, but this is getting ridiculous. Let’s not forget he did minimal training in the preseason too.
It’s time the club—and the fans—made their feelings clear. Enough is enough. Parramatta needs their leader on the park, week in and week out. If that means stepping away from rep footy, then so be it.
The Club have put their faith in Mitchell with one of the largest contracts ever. Now it's time for Mitchell to make the decision in what's best for Parramatta.
Sarantinos needs to address this situation asap. The fans pay their memberships and gate fees, we essentially pay the players wages. I think now it would be self-regarding for Moses to continue this approach. His injury issues especially with his foot and lower have persisted for over 12 months now.
Replies
True that! I heard turbo was asked to join the blues this year in camp but declined stating he wanted to focus on the seagulls. Being injured recently not sure if it's true or not but be that as it may we need money bags Moses to focus on us. He bangs on about wanting to win a title ( can't do that on the sideline)
Does anyone have a stat that shows, say in the last 18 - 24 months how many rep games v club games Moses has played?
I don't listen to players who cry about wanting a premiership, yet take up a huge chunk of cap space and still hold their club to ransom each and every time their contract is up for renewal. If you're serious, you'd take a pay cut to allow better players to be recruited/retained, which will increase your odds of winning a GF.
It's always been Moses first, club second
Agree and he probably isn't planning to anyway or most of next year either
Once he finishes building his Granny Flat he will start talks.
Nah, jobs done, rooftop pool is tiled, helipad installed,
It's a hard one ... if he had played rep footy more previously I would say yes
but your taking about someone who only really in the past 12-24 finally made rep teams and until this origin series had only been selected due to injuries to others
so much as it pains me I will say no
You're just as likely to do your ACL in a club game than you are Origin. Although that doesn't awlays seem the case with young Mitch.
That's true but Origin is similar to playing 3 grand finals and backing up sometimes 3 days later. Its too big an ask for players with reoccurring injuries.
Why do you think players like Wighton and Smith retired early from rep footy
Well that's not entirely true old Johnny. Kinda like saying you're just as likley to die crossing the road at 6am as you are during peak hour.
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