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
Chiefy, good blog — raising the question. I agree with Snottie. Also, if we're going to become more attractive for players, you want more Eels in Origin teams & rep teams doing well. To become a better club & team, you want more Origin players, not less.
You attract players by not finishing in the bottom 4 every year. If we had 6 players playing origin and finished last year after year , would we be more attractive than a team with no Origin players finishing 4th ?
It's like this , Moses doesn't play Origin and get injured , which was openly claimed by the Eels their training technique fucked him up, where are we placed right now ? We'd be somewhere around the 8 yeah ? But instead we are the source of every meme and joke .
It's about time we knuckle down and get tough and demand players are committed to our jersey. I don't care who you are , if you're not 100% focused on The Eels and The Eels alone , fuck off . We don't need you . Including Prima-donna superstars who pull out for weeks as soon as they get a niggle.
As much as I hate the prick , that's one thing Ricky Fucking Stuart has always demanded from his players , buy in or fuck off. Look at the result he got from his troops by showing White'on the door. He don't care who you are nobodies bigger than the club. I think Mitch needs to make his call as to what's more important.
Wiz, We definitely need to be higher up the ladder in finals footy.
Like Ricky Stuart, Ryles seems happy to show the door to a player not buying in.
Also, didn't Stuart call Hudson Young's dropping from an Origin game last year "disgraceful"? Seems he actually likes his players playing Origin & rep footy.
Personally, it's just my view, it's good for the players and ultimately the club in the long-run. If clubs try and sabotage players' rep career, it's not really very attactive for players who aspire to those higher levels.
Maybe rules around Origin time could change to not affect teams with origin stars, even if the current way gives lesser teams some assistance of sorts.
Just my two cents. Could be dead wrong.
Hoe, I dislike the idea that a player can be selected for Aust with only 480 club minutes on show...and not all of them good. How can he have form without playing?
Perhaps a rule that said 10 nrl games to be eligible for Aust would help everyone
Randy, An interesting one.
I suppose coaches trust certain players or believe they're the best fit for the team, even if club form or a high minute count aren't there.
I'd choose you for x-factor even if you only had 5 minutes of form.
Lol...But alas I cannot, as I have a foot injury planned....XXX factor perhaps. I will still be dead sexy
I'd hardly say he was much better this year after staring in origin and playing for Australia . His return game was very positive k and it went backwards from there . You may argue he was injured ( the go to for any eels player playing below par ) and that may or may not be so , but still , we didn't see any great improvements from him.
Luai has played in every big match you can imagine , there's probably only one player in the game that's tasted more success being Cleary. Hasn't done Jack shit for his game once removed from a great system. You can't build a great system when you're players are always missing. Moses playing Origin is not going to help our woes whilst we are anchored to the arse of the table , because Moses has been injured playing Origin.
Knowing our luck he plays no more games this year but is picked for the kangaroo tour and does both knees back in 27 .....ffs hahaha
That would force me to buy a pack of cigarettes - im a non smoker, and a bottle of overproof rum
Mate don't laugh , it's literally a high probability. Do we think Mal gives two fucks about derailing our 26 campaign by selecting a half fit Moses as his backup ? Do we think Mitch would turn him down ?
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