WESTS Tigers will not stand in the way of Mitchell Moses joining Parramatta, provided they are properly compensated, but it will not be until after their Easter Monday clash.
Tigers officials also hope to know by this time next week if James Tedesco and Aaron Woods will accept their respective four-year deals.
And it can be revealed Shaun Johnson will become a target of the Tigers should they miss out on Tedesco or Woods, with the club keen to reunite the Kiwi playmaker with new coach Ivan Cleary.
Wests Tigers star Mitchell Moses could be a Parramatta Eel earlier than expected. Picture: AAPIn another rollercoaster week for the Tigers, club boss Justin Pascoe opened up about Moses’ pending Eels move, and how confident he was about retaining Tedesco and Woods.
Player agent Isaac Moses met Cleary after lunch on Friday in Townsville where Mitchell Moses will line up against the Cowboys.
As for it being one of the pivot’s final game in the Tigers colours, Pascoe said: “Ivan will make that determination and whether it’s in the best interests of the club.
“If Mitch is invested in what we’re doing the rest of the year and sees value in that, Ivan will make that determination.
“If it’s deemed we can move forward and Mitch can be released, it will have to be favourable for us, whether that be monetary or another player, it just has to be favourable.’’
Pascoe said reports Moses had a deal on the table worth $1 million a year over three seasons were “not accurate’’.
Once the Tigers became aware of the revised forecasts for the 2018 salary cap, they knew it would be impossible to keep Moses deal on the table.
Cleary broke the news to Moses on Tuesday that his offer had been spiked.
To his credit, Moses was understanding and did not storm out.
Tigers fans will be now sweating on fullback Tedesco and skipper Woods putting pen to paper and joining Luke Brooks, who has agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $1.1 million.
Asked if it would be a failure if the Tigers lost Moses, Tedesco and Woods — three of the so-called Big Four — Pascoe said: “It would be a fail against what our intent was.
“But players are not irreplaceable. Any player who leaves the club, and as Ivan said earlier today, they can be replaced.
“We have a strong football program in place, we have a large brand, and we’ll continue to strive forward and make sure we get the talent the club and fans deserves.
“I’m really confident we’ve done everything in our power to keep (Tedesco and Woods), and our intent has not changed over the last five months.
“It was just a perfect storm where we had four of our biggest players all off contract, in the prime of their career and under the same management.
“We’ve done everything in our power to afford James and Aaron the right opportunity to be a part of this club moving forward, and I really hope they take that opportunity up.’’
Pascoe reaffirmed there had been “no deadlines’’ put in place, but with the Roosters circling Tedesco, and the Bulldogs eyeing both Tedesco and Woods, the Tigers want closure either way.
Depending on the outcome, Johnson is off contract and is seen as an ideal target for the joint venture, especially in light of his bond with Cleary from his days at the Warriors.
Replies
We do not need him this year
If we are going to move a player on anyway then fine
But otherwise just wait
I think we do need him this year mate, and if it took given them a Gower or O'brien, i think it would be good.
I recon he will be an eel very soon.
Give them Fogarty instead and throw in a slab of whatever they drink at Tiger town
No real loss to us imo, i dont see Dargan as a long term option or the right player to groom into that position no offence to the kid.
You're right phil, with norman and moses there is no future for dargan at the eels, it's a shame but two young proven halves is a safer bet then potential.
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