'Questions will continue being asked': Why Eels' Moses headache ...

Mitchell Moses’ ongoing contract stalemate with the Parramatta Eels remains the club’s glaring “elephant in the room” after last year’s grand finalists started their 2023 campaign with back-to-back losses.

The 28-year-old’s playing future remains up in the air with contract negotiations leaking into Round 3. According to reports, the Eels have offered a four-year contract extension, but Moses’ management is looking for a longer deal.

Speaking to reporters last week, Moses, one of the sport’s most in-demand halfbacks, bristled at suggestions his contract saga was a distraction for his teammates.

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“These things take time,” he said.

“People don’t know about the numbers that are involved. I think people are just guessing. Journalists are guessing and reporters are guessing what the numbers are- they’ve got no idea.

“I didn’t put a deadline on it. I would’ve liked it to happen then, but it wasn’t like I said it has to be done. I’ve worried about my footy, and Parramatta have been great with that.

“I’ve got management to make that decision for me. They worry about that side, and I worry about football. That’s what you’ve got management for.

“I’ve just left it with my management and they’ve let me fully focus on football. Hopefully it’s done soon.”

The Eels are currently 0-2 after suffering narrow losses to the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks, and the twin defeats has put mounting pressure on Moses to put pen to paper.

“The elephant in the room is that he has not one this deal yet with the Eels,” Fox League presenter Jess Yates said on Thursday evening.

“At what point does it really start to become a distraction?”

Penrith Panthers legend Greg Alexander responded: “It depends on how the team’s going. If they win, no one will care about it

“If they lose again, the questions will continue being asked

“I still don’t think it is (a distraction), but the longer they lose, the more that it will become an issue.”

Unfortunately for the Eels, they face the Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters in the next three weeks so there is every chance the noise will only grow louder.

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On Wednesday, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club until the end of 2025, and Cronulla Sharks forward Wade Graham suggested it would encourage Moses to stay with the Eels.

“I know personally for me, having that stability, playing under the same coach, knowing the system, being confident in that system … having the coach resign an extra year would maybe sway me a little bit,” Graham said.

The Wests Tigers reportedly offered Moses a five-year deal valued at around the $1.3 million per season mark, and Alexander is adamant no other clubs are in contention for his signature.

“There would be stories about other clubs if other clubs were interested,” Alexander said.

“There’s no secret in the game … there’s no way they could keep that a secret.

“It seems like it’s the Tigers or Parramatta.

“They’ve got to make sure they keep Mitch Moses,” Alexander continued.

“If Brad Arthur’s going to have success over the next three years, they need to keep the side they have at the moment together.”

The Eels will face the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park on Thursday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm AEDT.

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