Corey Norman looks across at how the Roosters halves operates and reckons therein lies the blueprint for playing alongside Mitchell Moses.
Norman and Moses are set to combine at Parramatta, possibly as soon as next week, but first there is the awkward business of facing off on Easter Monday. Moses has signed with the Eels and wants to join his new club immediately, but Wests Tigers won't consider a transfer until after that clash.
Moses put paid to any suggestions he'd be phoning it in for the Tigers after deciding his future lies elsewhere, producing a man-of-the-match performance in their upset win over North Queensland. However, his present and future will collide in the ANZ Stadium encounter with the blue and golds.
Norman isn't looking far past that match, knowing that a fifth-straight loss could result in another season finishing early. However, the Parramatta playmaker believes his combination with Moses could borrow from the Roosters pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary, a relationship that allows them to run and organise as they see fit without the pressure of either being the "dominant half".
"I like steering the boys around, too, but I like to run as well," Norman said of how his game will evolve with Moses.
"I have to find that balance between both, and having someone else there who can organise the team as well and organise our plays would definitely be good.
"Mitch is a good ball-runner as well and needs freedom as well. If you look at Pearcey and Keary, they're playing good football and I think they feed off each other. There is no dominant half there.
"They do their plays and play what's in front of them. I think that's just what we need to do."
New blood: Corey Norman is looking forward to partnering with Mitchell Moses in the halves. Photo: Getty ImagesNorman has had numerous halves partners since shifting to the Eels in 2014. Some, such as Kieran Foran, have come with great expectation but the blue and gold jersey remains the only one he hasn't been able to deliver in. Other playmakers, such as Clint Gutherson and Brad Takairangi, have been the stop-gap variety. Norman craves the day when a "bit of stability" arrives in the playmaking ranks.
"It will be good to have Mitch here and play alongside him and get that combination going straight away," he said.
"I've had plenty of halves alongside me since I've been here, they've chopped and changed, so it will be another thing where we have to find a combo when he gets here and work hard at it."
The Tigers-Eels game isn't just awkward for Moses. The Eels are caught in between welcoming and whacking the five-eighth, a balance they need to get right to keep their season alive.
Captain Tim Mannah knows Moses better than most - they share the same manager and are preparing to represent Lebanon together in the World Cup. Mannah even suggested to his agent, only half-jokingly, that he should send Moses to the Eels.
"That's why we were so keen to get him, because we know what he can offer on the football field," Mannah said at the unveiling of the club's 70th anniversary jersey.
"He's definitely a big threat. When he's playing well, the Tigers are going well. It's obviously a big job for us to cover him, but hopefully we don't cover him too hard and don't hurt him because we need him playing for us."
Norman added: "In the past me and Mitchy have given each other lip, but that's just being competitive. A bit of banter never hurt anyone. I'm sure nothing will change this week.
"That's rugby league, people come, they go, they play their old team."
Not everyone is convinced Moses provides Parramatta with good value. Legendary Eels pivot Brett Kenny questioned whether Moses was worth his reported asking price and hoped he would see out the season with the Tigers.
"His biggest problem is his defence at the moment and it's obviously something the club will work on," Kenny said. "But attacking skills, he's got everything."
Replies
It must have been a slow day at work.
I can guarantee you Mitchell Pearce is not on $1M+ in fact not even close. At least not on any official paperwork that is.
I feel that Moses only wants to join now for a stronger squad. If tigers beat us he may stay for the rest of the season
He wont have a choice to change his mind at this late stage.
ie Parra probably put early release conditions in his contract.
Tiger would let him go if they needed the extra funds to keep Wood or Teddy
So I dont know that staying is an option anymore.
Gotta love all the talk off the field and no action on it!!
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