Parramatta in line to sign Mitchell Moses

Luke Brooks has agreed to a two-year $1.1 million deal to stay at the Wests Tigers – but the future of his halves partner Mitchell Moses is in limbo as the five-eighth weighs up an offer from Parramatta.The Wests Tigers have finally secured the services of one of the big four, with Brooks accepting an Ivan Cleary approved contract worth close to $550,000 a season.AdvertisementFairfax Media understands James Tedesco is now weighing up a massive four-year, $4.5m deal that will see him become one of the highest-paid players in the game.Cleary officially began his tenure at the Tigers on Monday, but he signed off on revised contract offers that were tabled to the "big four" last Friday.Moses was offered a three-year deal – but it is becoming increasingly likely he will depart Tigertown, with the Eels joining the race for his services.Parramatta are keen on luring Moses back to his junior club but won't fork out ridiculous money for a player who still has to live up to his enormous potential. While the Eels are happy with the development of Clint Gutherson, they have been on the look-out for a play-maker to partner Corey Normanin the long term.SHARESHARE ON FACEBOOKSHARE ON TWITTERLINKLikely departure: Mitchell Moses. Photo: Matt KingNathan Cleary is happy at the Panthers and won't walk out on his deal to link up with his dad at the Tigers, but ironically both Brooks and Cleary come off contract at the end of 2019.Tigers skipper Aaron Woods has also had a three-year deal put to him, with the NSW Origin prop weighing up whether he wants to be part of the Cleary revolution.Fairfax Media has been told Cleary told the players "You're either on the bus or off the bus" in his first meeting with the group on Monday morning.The Bulldogs have made a huge play at both Woods and Tedesco, but it's likely the decision of one could determine the future of the other. Canterbury aren't keen on retaining Will Hopoate, who has been shopped around to several clubs as the Bulldogs look to clear the decks for next year.Five-eighth Josh Reynolds and hookerMichael Lichaa are also off contract at Belmore, with whispers aboutJames Graham being shopped to Newcastle getting louder.Look who's back ... Roy Spagnolo is back at Parramatta games ... in the opposition sheds. There were a few gobsmacked faces at the Eels on Saturday when their former chairman was seen waltzing through the tunnels at GIO Stadium as a guest of Canberra coach Ricky Stuart. If you don't remember, Spagnolo was the one who trumpeted Stuart as "the greatest signing since Jack Gibson" when the Eels unveiled him as Stephen Kearney's successor back in 2012 (pictured above).Despite his messy exit from Parramatta, the NRL had no issue with Spagnolo being invited into the Raiders' inner sanctum."While several former Parramatta officials had been found 'not to be fit and proper' to be on a Leagues Club Board, this did not preclude them from attending a Rugby League match as guests of a club," an NRL spokesman said.It is interesting to note, former Eels chief executive Bob Bentley, who was also responsible for luring Stuart to Parramatta, was spotted on a video on the Raiders website in the background of the Canberra post-match victory song

"This is what I am saying. He most likely won't be here in 27, but if he does then it doesn't mean we will have 3 over 33s in our starting team.
Barnett would start. Paulo on the bench and JDB retired or more of a squad filler. Either way is fine…"

"It's bordering on unconscionable conduct. This is getting very messy for the NRL and I'm sure there's some backroom deals in the pipeline to try and make it all go away. Stay tuned..."

Replies

Mac5733 April 5, 2017 at 7:25am

1.1 mill for Brooks???
that'll do me!
- Optimistic eel > Mac5733 April 5, 2017 at 7:41am
  
  550 per year for a half its about right itll cost us 600-800 per year to get moses
Cranky Brad is here!!! April 5, 2017 at 7:29am

How stupid are the tigers securing brooks before the other 3. I would be happy with moses. Good young player and been one of the best yhere. Also a parra fan at heart.
- Poupou Escobar > Cranky Brad is here!!! April 5, 2017 at 11:36am
  
  I tipped they would keep Brooks - he is a left footer, which is less common. He is also the better playmaker of the two. And because of his defence he would be the cheapest one as well. This means they can re-sign him and still address other shortfalls in the squad. It's not always about keeping the best player. The best players often provide the least value, especially to a weak club like the Tigers.
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 April 5, 2017 at 7:32am

Luckily we didn’t go for Brooks who has Sandow like defense.

You want to build a 10 year roster, you sign Moses imo. I've seen enough to say Moses/Norman would definitely be a great future pairing, with Gutherson/Jennings centres.
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 April 5, 2017 at 7:44am
  
  Tbh, I'd much rather not signing a 34 year old halfback, no matter how great he is,
  and be back to square one in a year or two - hoping an untried Jnr comes through, sorry but Cronk isn't the answer.
- Ray Zammit > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 April 5, 2017 at 9:12am
  
  I agrre
Traditional Croissant April 5, 2017 at 7:33am

Wow Brooks is the biggest plodder of them all, no wonder he signed I'm guessing the interest from other clubs just wasn't there! I guess the Tigers are hoping for a domino effect with their signings but they will definitely lose at least one of the next three.
Mitchy April 5, 2017 at 7:43am

One thing i think and that is Parra won't pay ridiculous money for anyone.....and just hope we can land a decent half, and forward.
Muttman April 5, 2017 at 7:50am

Would be a good signing.

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