Eels co-captain Junior Paulo is backing Mitchell Moses to win the Dally M this season.
It comes amid reports the star halfback has knocked back a lucrative offer from the Wests Tigers and will re-sign with the Eels on a long-term deal.
Moses’ decision was news to Paulo when asked about it Fox League’s season launch on Tuesday. But he didn’t miss the opportunity to take a cheeky jab at his teammate.
“He’s not short of any cash that’s for sure,” Paulo laughed while speaking to foxsports.com.au.
Moses, who has until April 1 to activate his option for 2024, will reportedly earn $1.25 million a season under his new Eels contract — making him one of the highest-paid players in the NRL.
It falls just short of the Tigers’ four-year offer which was said to be $1.3 million a season.
Paulo said Moses’ commitment is a “massive boost” for the Eels given the crucial role he plays in the side.
“Mitch has been a big part of Parramatta since he’s joined. If Mitchy was to leave I think you’d have to reshuffle everything, so it’s a massive boost,” he conceded.
“We love Mitchy and if he has re-signed I think it would be awesome for us because our game plan and our style of play that Mitchy has helped build is certainly part of the success.
“I think the combinations we’ve got there as a core playing group is something we want to keep.”
Moses is coming off a career-best season in which he steered the Eels to their first grand final since 2009.
But Paulo expects the 28-year-old to take his game to yet another gear this season.
“He’s matured as a player and learnt to strip back his game and really just enjoy his footy,” he said.
“He’s definitely in his peak — and so he should be,” Paulo added with a laugh.
“We enjoy having Mitchy around and I’m tipping him to have another massive year, I’ll call it early I reckon he’ll go close to a Dally M.
“He’s just a natural footballer, very instinctive and I think the urge to really pull back his game and do all the simple things right, he’s really taking control of that.
“I think it’s a credit to what he’s been able to do over the last couple of years.”
The Eels have had four months now to recover from their grand final heartbreak. Paulo said that although they’ve moved on it, the squad will be using it as a “driving factor and more motivation” to go one better this year.
Coach Brad Arthur used the first trial to unleash his next generation of talent, while also getting some time into Ryan Matterson, who will miss the first three rounds due to a suspension.
A young Penrith outfit got the jump on their western Sydney rivals with Paulo saying: “we didn’t execute the way we wanted to.”
But the big guns were wheeled out in the Eels’ second trial — a 36-14 win over the Knights.
“I thought we got what we needed out of that trial,” Paulo said.
“I thought the effort areas (were good) — that’s one thing we get challenged on week-in, week-out.
“As long as we keep doing those things… It’s a long season. It’s going to take time to gel, we’ve got a lot roster changes so it’s all about adapting to that.”
Replies
Tough to win a Dally M in this Eels side. They share the workload well so it's difficult to get the 3 points each week.
Yeah, it's the flaw in the voting system. Nick Hynes had a great year, but he didn't really have to share the votes at the Sharks. He got votes pretty much every game they won.
Who cares about the Dally M. I'd rather he wins the comp.
💍💍💍
Mate, he still hasn't signed anything yet. It's not offal he's signed with Parra. Don't be surprised if he goes to Wests Tigers
No Monts they all hate his guts now with the latest speculation that he is staying with us
Its still not official. Who knows if he has actually put pen to paper yet..
They need to stop playing with us and announce it.
Jinxed
Tapine will go close to winning it
No chance
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