Wests Tigers are refusing to let Mitchell Moses go without a fight and are understood to be playing hardball with Parramatta over their negotiations for the star five-eighth.
It is believed the Tigers are not willing to grant Moses an immediate release to join Parramatta unless they are given compensation.
It opens the door for the two to enter into an NRL player swap, a deal which would allow the 22-year-old to link with Brad Arthur’s side.
Moses has already signed a three-year deal to begin in 2018 but has asked to join them immediately after relations between the two soured.
NSW coach Laurie Daley said he wouldn’t let Moses go but if push came to shove, he would ask the Eels for one of their star players in return.
“I’d ask for Beven French or someone like that,” Daley said on Fox Sports’ NRL360.
“You’ve got to remember that we’re still not quite sure what Tedesco is going to do. If you get an inkling that Tedesco might be moving on, you might look at Bevan French, offer him more money than he’s on.
“Someone like Beau Scott, someone who’s got that harder edge, someone who knows how to prepare, a true professional to show all your young kids what it’s about.”
Moses is expected to learn his fate on Tuesday.
Following the Tigers’ loss to Parramatta on Monday, he said he had no idea who he would be playing with this weekend.
“I wouldn’t have a clue. I don’t know what’s happening. I’ll find out tomorrow what’s doing. I’ve got no idea,” he told Triple M.
Moses’ initial request for a release was denied by coach Ivan Cleary, however he said he wouldn’t rule it out if he was approached again.
“I haven’t changed my mind,” Cleary said.
“I’m not sure. If a request comes in I will consider it. And that’s what happens.”
Jacko
Guest
Both break exsisting contracts.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Come on mate, theres a big difference between leaving mid season and giving your club six months notice that you wont be there next year. One screws your entire teams chances half way to the finals and the other gives your team time to prepare for the next seaon.
Jacko
Guest
Cleary left with 1 year remaining on his contract. Moses is ONLY wanting 6mths yet you see Cleary as being ok yet Moses as wrong and the Tigers needing compensation? Cleary tried to blackmail the Warriors into extending his contract 18 mths before it was due. Moses not blackmailing anyone. The past tells me how a person thinks and acts. Cleary thought and acted for himself. We have no actions which show Cleary to be anything but self-interested and we have seen him reneg on a contract in the past. What happens if Cleary gets a good offer half way thru next year????I cant accept Cleary's word ever again as he has proven to not keep his word
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Gutherson to FB, French to wing
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
The 10 Day Cooling off period has expired mate. Moses is gone to Parramatta.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Pretty long bow there Jacko. Cleary has just arrived at the Tigers. I hardly think his past is dictating how this is being played out. And in any case Cleary announced he was leaving in June 2011, after the Warriors declared they wouldn't be able to offer him a long term contract beyond 2012. He still saw out the rest of the season and took the Warriors to the GF. It certainly wasn't a mid-season move so any talk of compensation or a transfer fee isn't in touch with reality.
Jacko
Guest
Yes the Warriors got a massive transfer fee when Cleary left a year early to go to the Panthers...NOT...Cleary is the ultimate hypocrite here as he walks out on a contract and he expects that to be all forgiven and forgotten but boot happens to be on other foot and he doe EXACTLY the opposite of what he expected himself. Remember the Coach sets the tone for the behavour of the team and this team is acting exactly like the coaches example from the past. You try to say the player should stick to their contracts but never bother with the truth behind it all and expect the players to be different to all other people involved in the industry. They offered this guy a contract...then withdraw it a day later...that is acting very unprofessional and why would he not want to move on ASAP
Steve
Guest
Keeping Moses there at the Tigers could rot the team from the inside. Use him to get a decent trade from Parra.
jamesb
Guest
Why would the Eels want to player swap with the Tigers? From their perspective, they are losing Semi, and for next year, they may have plans to shift Gutherson to the wing to accommodate Moses in the halves.
Ogy
Guest
Why in the hell would the Eels give up players that are still on lengthy contracts for a player they hav already signed. Geeze sometimes i wonder what the media is smoking. French is our future star he has been signed up with his brothers. Gutho is signed up as well. I could see Scott go as the only option. But really... Let it fester and wait it out. The Tigers will eventually release him.
marayong tiger
Guest
Keep him to his contract. Players have to learn to sign an stick.
Craig Tennant
Guest
The Eels Just need to Stand Strong, the tigers will never keep Tedesco and Woods without freeing space in this years cap and paying them advances on the next few seasons. Why screw around over a player you won't be keeping and risk losing your marque player.
jamesb
Guest
Why doesn't Moses just see out the remaining months of his contract? It's not going to hurt him.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
French and Gutho are the obvious players to take as compensation, with Beau Scott thrown in for good measure. Oh, and we will take Matagi as well. (In all seriousness, someone like Beau Scott is about all you're going to get, isn't he?)
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
The way this is being reported is bizarre. "Tigers playing hardball"... what, by assuming that their contracted player will play out the season? Or by looking for compensation rather than bending over and giving him to the Eels on request? What?
Chop
Roar Guru
If the Tigers want Gutherson as being suggested to quote one of my favourite movies 'Tell em to get stuffed'. I'm still hoping Moses does a spectacular backflip and stays at the tigers....
souvalis
Guest
Beau Scott seems fair..Parra ought to be talking to Liddell as well cause there's no way they'll go deep with Kaysa Pritchard starting there..
kobi
Guest
Get rid of Moses now what deluded fools those that think he's the messiah to lead Parra to the promised land.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
What is this Crap about the Tigers playing hardball OR Not letting Moses go without a Fight rubbish? Moses is contracted to the Tigers until October 31, 2017 What is all the fuss? If the Tigers don't want to let him go early then that is the end of it. If the Eels are demanding him early then tough luck. OR Put a transfer fee on him. $500k will do it.