Adrian Proszenko
Parramatta's forwards have vowed to act as "bodyguards" for Mitchell Moses to ensure he doesn't become a defensive liability at his new club.
Moses met his new teammates for the first time on Wednesday after receiving a release from Wests Tigers the previous day. The playmaker appeared at ease in his new surrounds after becoming frustrated at the length of time to gain a release from the joint-venture outfit
Protection: Mitchell Moses joins new Eels teammates for the first time at training on Tuesday. Photo: Peter RaeTigers coach Ivan Cleary took a subtle dig at Moses' attitude, as well as accusing his manager, Isaac Moses, of "manipulations of the media to drive a personal agenda".
The Eels believe Moses will put two ordinary performances behind him, including a shocking defensive display that included eight misses against South Sydney. Moses misses an average of 3.5 tackles per game and will undoubtedly be targeted by a rampant Canberra pack that includes returning Raider Josh Papalii, who will be making a late audition for a Queensland Origin spot.
Eels skipper Tim Mannah, who has been in contact with Moses through his contractual saga, believes he will get plenty of support without the ball with the blue and golds.
"Like any half, you need to have your bodyguards around you helping you a lot," Mannah said.
"The halves, they're not traditionally making their money whacking people, their job is to create with the ball.
"They need a lot of help in defence and he's no different to any other half we have, he needs support."
Parramatta back-rowers Tepai Moeroa and Kenny Edwards will be tasked with providing protection for their prized new signing.
"Mitchy likes to get his body in front, it's not like he doesn't like tackling, but we know we've got a job to help him out," Edwards said.
"We're not trying to be his bodyguard or anything. Our job as a back-rower is to be into that tackle first and help out our halves as much as we can.
"At the end of the day that's part of my job description. I'll be looking to do that and he'll be sweet.
"One of the things with Mitchy, I remember the reason why he wanted to come was because our back-rowers [provide] high energy in defence helping the halves. We've got high energy and help our halves as much as we can."
Fellow back-rower Manu Ma'au terrorised Moses in defence when the teams clashed a few weeks ago but said he would be getting plenty of help protection from now on.
"My job is to run him over but now that he's with us I have to look after him," he said.
"Our job is to look after the halves. For him coming to Parramatta, Tep is on that right side and does a good job of looking after Gutho [Clint Gutherson] when he was there and Will Smith.
"He's in good hands and we're looking forward to seeing him in that blue and gold jersey."
Moses will face his former team in round 20 and indications are there will be no love lost. Cleary felt he had to release the disgruntled pivot disturbing changes in demeanour and performance.
"The last time I spoke about [Moses' situation] publicly was after the Bulldogs where I thought he played well," Cleary said.
"I mentioned that I hadn't seen anything to suggest in his performances or preparation that he wanted to leave. And that was the thing I was going to go by. Again, there was no benefit to our club for a release.
"I don't know if it's a coincidence but things changed after that.
"His last two performances and general demeanour suggested he just wasn't happy and the logical conclusion was for us to part ways and that's what we've done."
Isaac Moses had complained to the NRL and Rugby League Players' Association, expressing concerns about player welfare after Cleary reportedly told the player he would be granted a release before last week's game with the Rabbitohs, only to change his mind.
"I'd like to discuss the accusation around the way we've handled this situation," said Cleary.
"We take well-being very seriously at this club and the track record at the Tigers has been very strong, including the last 12 months.
"I take it very seriously as a coach and it's a huge part of what we do.
"I've been transparent and forthright with my conversations with Mitchell. They're personal and I'll leave it at that.
"It's a bit disappointing some of those conversations have ended up in the media – I don't want that to happen from my end."
Replies
cleary has double standards,and is building hes own team, one by one the big 3 clean up a lot of cap for 2017, so he can get hes own team at hes price... what he says who believes him.
Robert, very true but is he any different to the average coach especially when taking over a new club/team, especially if they have been out for a while.
Cleary has likely used his time out to watch as many teams play as possible, especially those that could end dumping what is deemed as a failed coach, he would have also been on the lookout for potential players in the lower grades that he saw as being of value in the future. Lets not forget before being dumped by Gobbledee gus at the panthers he had brought in a lot of young players that really stepped up, and that's still has some benefits if the hook can continue with them.
No doubt also he would have seen the issues at the tigers with the Farah debacle and then with the magnificent 4 that stayed for a while, and he saw them as being hindrances, his get off the bus statement was bait for the fish, and whatever the offers to Tedesco and Woods was, were likely not enough and a ploy to see them leave. The ease of signing the likes of Twal a very good prospect along with Reynolds, Packer and Matalino? from the warriors shows his hand as wanting to get rid of those other than Brooks who I reckon was the player that Cleary saw as being the only one to keep. Brooks will go well with Reynolds, and shows the benefit of being with an experiienced campaigner as his sidekick.
The other signings will more than compensate for the lose of the 3.
Look at the way BA handled Junior Paulo leaving. Yes it did help with salary cap, but not by much really. BA didn't whinge that JP wasn't putting in - he just said see ya later and that was the end of that. Cleary doesn't gain anything by whingeing about this to the media and it only makes it look like he's lost control. Anyway, Parra are the winners out of this and it gives us half a season to work with Moses before 2018.
Good points Longfin. Thing with this though is that BA does show a huge amount of loyalty to his players, and more than likely (pure assumption on my part) is that when he decided to go after Moses and the news broke about the signing he may have told the players that may be affected by the signing, just in case they wanted to look elsewhere.
With 19 players still off contract end of this year, one can be assured that Robson will retire leaving a back up halves spot open likely for Dargan, similar perhaps with the signing of Evans that there is the likelihood of older forwards retiring as well. At the same time all those off contract will know that they are playing for new ones, same as those progressing up from the last NYC comp.
While all this is brutal and the players know just how much it is, there is a difference in the way things are handled though.
Im not sure the lads highlighting Moses poor defence is the best way to welcome a new recruit, it goes without saying the guys will protect him
Snake while I understand where you are coming from, I see it a bit differently, the forwards were a big let down last week, and any new player coming in to the team will be wary, but with those who should have been doing better saying they will be lifting after some team meeting its likely to lift the confidence of the new boy so as to concentrate on his game. The bottom line is that if they are to win this game and keep going then the pack as a whole has to lift and do what they are paid to do, if not then a different bus for them after the game
Fair points there Col, you might be right mate.
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