Article on Moses in the Australian will set the cats amongst the pigeons on 1EE - will it be Brissy or Scott to go first?
Parramatta's Mitchell Moses needs to rediscover his running game. Picture: Brett Costello
Parramatta playmaker Mitchell Moses has professed his love for the Eels and his desire to repay the faith they have placed in him as he prepares to make a big call over his plans for next season and beyond.
Moses has an option in his favour at the end of 2021 and the Eels are keen to tie him down to a longer-term deal. Asked about his plans, Moses provided the strongest indication yet that he would like to stay, although he knows better than most that nothing is certain in the rugby league world.
There was a time when he imagined spending his career at Wests Tigers, only to depart in acrimonious circumstances midway through 2017. He went close to joining Canterbury before landing on his feet at Parramatta.
“I obviously want to stay at the club — I love the club so much,” Moses said.
“They have looked after me and shown faith in me. I have told them (my management) what is going on and it needs to stay between me and them.
“Like I said, I want to stay. Hopefully we get something sorted. We have a core group there and hopefully we can lock everyone up, stay together and add some quality players alongside that.
“It is something I want to be part of and hopefully we can get it sorted.”
Moses’ immediate priority is rediscovering his running game and ensuring the Eels make a fast start when the premiership begins next month.
As the club’s opening game against Brisbane looms, Moses has been urged to find balance in his game by former Queensland and Test halfback Cooper Cronk, who suggested the Eels half had concentrated too much last season on game management at the expensive of his greatest strength.
“Parramatta have invested in Mitchell and he has shown in the past he has the game to lead them,” Cronk said.
“I don’t know Mitchell, I haven’t worked him, but he was a runner and an instinctive player. Then he learnt how to game manage last year — that probably took away from his instincts and creativity.
“That is what playing halfback is. You have to be able to be great at different things. If you are great at just at running, the other stuff is going to let you down at some stage.
“You need to be great at a lot of things to be a premiership halfback.”
Moses is aware of the need to recalibrate his game.
“It is definitely something I want to get back in my game — my running game,” he said.
“I feel like that is the strongest part of my game. I feel like last year was going for more game-management type of role
“I feel like I have a lot of support I the team not that I don’t have to worry about that as much. I have a lot of confidence in all the other boys — Dyl (Dylan Brown) with another year under his belt, Reed (Mahoney) there, Gutho (Clint Gutherson) there playing great footy.
“They can take the pressure off me. I am still going to look to manage a game — that is the whole part of being a halfback — but I definitely want to get my running game back.
“It is a balance that I need to get in my game.”
At the age of 26, Moses is now very much a senior figure at the Eels. As such, he has taken it upon himself to pass on advice to some of the club’s emerging stars, including Jake Arthur — the son of coach Brad Arthur.
Arthur is still a teenager but made his debut in a trial game last week. At some point, he and Moses may be fighting for the same jersey.
“He is a great kid, he is still learning,” Moses said. “He has a lot of potential and it is crazy to think he is 18 the way he handles himself at training and in game situations.
“I have tried to help him out as much as possible. I was in his shoes so anywhere I can give advice or help out, I will.
“He is a big, tall thing. Once he fills out he is going to be a big boy. He is 18, you don’t want to rush it. He is very clam when he plays and nothing really phases him.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him because I once had it when I was 18.”
Replies
Agree Mick.
Would be great if Joey can get the balance into his game, here's hoping for the best.
I like Moses I really do, but how long do we persist with the same halves? I reckon we sit and wait before making any offers,so he has two years to get it right and get us to a GF .Jake Arthur should be ready by then anyways.
What do you mean how long ?
They've only been together for two, injury interrupted years !!!!
The development of halves is the longest process in the game. Two years is nothing. JT & Michael Morgan spent 5 seasons together before winning a premiership. Even Cronk & Munster took 3 years together before winning a premiership, and Cronk was already a premiership winner.
It simply takes years for halves to develop.
I think Mitch Moses will have a great year in 2021 and really cement his place in the Eels team moving forward.
No doubting his ability, as mentioned in the article he has a great running game.
But he is not a halfback, we need a person in the 7 with composure and game management skills.
This season will tell the tale of a few at the club, hopefully the club doesn't rush into making decisions that could see us stagnant for further years, make them prove themselves.
Scott
I think Mitch Moses is definitely a half back and a very good one. Hes certainly a good reader of the game, he's vocal, his defence has improved, he has a good kicking game when he's on and he's also a great goal kicker when he's on. Sure he still has heaps of improvement but he's still relatively young. Last year, I believe injury played a huge part in his form especially in the second half of the season.
'very good' halves win comps and dominate their oposing halves imo monts.
They can take the game by the scruff of the neck against good teams not just the average ones.
Mitch does not do those things yet.
Dont know how many times you have to say this and i have to ask - who would you replace him with?
About 10 times others and I have asked you about this but never once have you come up with a suggestion.
You make outlandish statements but don't have an alternative.
Do you know the saying - "better the devil you know".? I think it applies in this case
We all know Mitch has his deficiencies, geez even JT, the 8th, Sterling and all had their deficiencies but who really is out there that is a better option and better value.
Do we look at the likes of Ben "I dropped the GF" Hunt on 1.2m, DCE on 1.3m, Dozey Norman on 850k, Shaun Johnson on 750+k,.? All have deficiencies too and those with less are much older too.
So c'mon genuis throw an alternative up?
Da Rock
Genius, remember that simple maths equation you couldn't do?
Scott
good one dickhead!
As usual you're full of shit - cant answer a question no matter how many times it is presented but still happy to spew out the same rubbish every day.
What is your answer?
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