We Wests Tigers fans can be a bitter and vindictive lot. Our emotions have been fueled by perceived mismanagement by officials, exiting juniors and, for the most part, less-than-desirable on-field results in the short life of the club.
When Mitchell Moses sought and was eventually given a release to join the Parramatta Eels in 2017, on the back of fellow Wests Tigers juniors Aaron Woods and James Tedesco indicating they were out the door, it felt like the sky was falling in.
Coach Ivan Cleary indicated that Moses’ performances and demeanour at training were not of the standard required at NRL level in the lead-up to the club granting a release.
Moses’ uncle and manager Isaac Moses complained to the NRL and Rugby League Players Association, expressing concerns about player welfare. They were dark days for the club and supporters alike.
Wests Tigers fans pointed out Mitchell’s inconsistency, occasional brain snaps and tendency to get caught up in the emotional side of the game as reasons why he would never reach his potential at the Eels.
Post-match interviews after victories – where he appeared to be sticking his finger up at as his former club by referring to now playing behind a strong forward pack – didn’t help to quell the emotions felt by Tigers fans. He was perceived as petulant and arrogant by his detractors.
From the day Moses led Balmain to their first under-18s SG Ball premiership in 30 years after carving up a Canberra Raiders side that boasted a young Anthony Milford, it was obvious that he was destined for a first-grade career.
He was a precocious talent seemingly able to spark attack at will. His defence needed work but that’s more often than not the case with young halves.
Significantly, fellow Tigers junior Luke Brooks was missing through injury in that grand final. Moses is clearly a better player when he is solely running the show. When Brooks and Moses played together in the halves at Wests Tigers, they both struggled to take control despite being good friends off the field and playing together in the junior ranks.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville)
When Robbie Farah was forced from the Wests Tigers in 2016, there was talk that Moses was not happy with the service he was receiving from the dummy-half.
The flashes of brilliance and inconsistent performances continued at Parramatta despite finishing fourth in 2017. Last year they took out the wooden spoon, culminating in Moses being told he was welcome to look elsewhere at the end of the season.
In 2019, with former halves partner Corey Norman moving to the Dragons, Moses has emerged a more mature and patient footballer and Parramtta’s results bear witness to that. Assured of a finals spot and on track for a top-four position, it is Moses who is guiding them around the paddock.
The Eels halfback had a hand in all six of the tries in the 36-12 victory over the Titans. He leads the NRL for try assists (24), all kicks (291) and kick metres (8111).
Moses will turn 25 in September. He is older than hooker Reed Mahoney and five-eighth Dylan Brown, while the same age as Clint Gutherson.
He is the dominant player in the spine.
It is his show now.
Once a target for big hard-running back-rowers, his defence has improved noticeably over the last 12 months.
The patience, skill and a level head to compete at the top level are not always apparent in a 20-year-old player.
NSW playmaker Cody Walker made his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs at age 26. Billy Walters – who is likely to announce he has signed for the Wests Tigers in 2020 – played his first NRL game for the Melbourne Storm recently at the age of 25.
Moses has grown and developed over the last five years under the glare of the NRL spotlight.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Coach Brad Arthur described Moses as “composed and doing what’s best for the team” in the press conference on the weekend.
“He’s not trying to force his hand. He’s just doing what’s best for the team and that composure filters through the side,” Arthur said.
Arthur revealed on NRL 360 last night that he had sat down and had a “real heart to heart honest conversation with Mitchell” at an earlier stage.
Moses – who has already represented Lebanon – has an opportunity to further his representative career if he continues with this current form and mindset.
With James Maloney heading to France in 2020 and Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Pearce sharing the NSW halfback spot this year, an Origin place is up for grabs and Moses just might be the right man to fill it.
Mitchell has come of age and it looks like his best footy is in front of him. Time heals most wounds. I sincerely hope he succeeds.
Simmo
Roar Rookie
Yeah he went alright last night! Classic Poses game that. Got tough, went missing
Doug Graves
Guest
Stuart please, I like your articles and comments but please stop trying to make the Eels for top 4 happen, it's not going to happen. The Eels have to leapfrog 2 vastly superior sides (granted Souths are in bad form but are still clearly a better side) and then hope they also have a better for and against if it comes down to that. Put simply it ain't going to happen. In all likelihood, the Eels will finish 6th and probably be bundled out of the finals in week 1 by however falls over the line into 7th. Better luck next year Eels fans.
kk
Roar Pro
Jimmmy,Pearler of the week!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I'll never forget how "old Joh" escaped a conviction at his corruption hearing. All but one of the jury had voted Joh "Guilty!". The one dissenting voice held firm and the vote needed to be unanimous. In the end "old Joh" was acquitted. It wasn't until after the decision was handed down that news broke that the character in question was an active member of the young Nationals! When confronted by journos as he left the court the clown crowed "Cock-adoodle-do". That's justice in "North Korea" north of the NSW border for you.
Paul
Roar Guru
Compared to the run Manly has, the Eels have an easier run on paper, which is why these next 3 games for them are crucial, Stuart. We both know it's one thing to make the finals but another to make the final 4. If they can't beat both the Doggies & Broncos, I doubt their credentials for this year's final series. I'm not sure comparing Moses consistency to other seasons is any sort of a measure about whether he's the real deal. His last 2 seasons have been below average and for guy on big bucks, I'm sure everyone connected with Parra would have expected a better return for their money. Lets see how his temperament holds up over the coming weeks. Parra will certainly sink or swim based on his performances.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Paul - the Eels are on track for a top 4 spot and Moses has been consistent this year as opposed to other seasons. His stats are good.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Eels could do with a player or two in the halves for a decade or more as I've lost track of all their players in those positions since Kenny and Sterling. The Eels have been remarkably inconsistent from season to season for decades now and maybe this is the start of a new era. If they make the top 4 this year it will be one of the most low key efforts I can remember , I don't think they've got a top 4 or even top 8 roster myself so it's been a good effort.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
My favourite story from the Joh B era. Russ Hinze ( minister for everything ,including Main roads) owned a pub near but not on the highway to the Gold Coast. When they upgraded the highway it now miraculously ran straight past this hotel. A reporter asked him if this wasn't a disgraceful act of corruption. Russ said " Listen if I could have done it the highway would run through the drive in bottle shop". The days when pollies were honestly, dishonest.
Doug Graves
Guest
"I think he’s got the talent but question whether he has the temperament." He hasn't demonstrated the temperament so far. Look into how he forced his exit from the Tigers, he basically quit on the team, mouthed off about how things were better at Parra then got the wooden spoon with them. Judgment is not his strong point. Not a rep quality player in my opinion and seriously overpaid.
Rob
Guest
Wouldn't say he's the real deal yet but he has improved a lot since last year and is showing signs that Parra can build their squad around him for the next 5+ years. Think Parra will have a very good side in a few years time. Their spine especially have plenty of potential and are all still very young. If they keep those four together they will be a real contender very soon.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Not convinced by the Eels let alone Moses who I’ve never rated. They may have claimed a big scalp or two this year like Canberra who had a brain explosion in the Darwin heat and an out of sorts Souths but by and large only looked good when their opposition has been struggling with form.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Toaster: "I just love the smell of burnt hare in the morning dagnabbit!" Cue the banjo music from "Deliverance" as Milton celebrates cootism in the nation's capital.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Ah, political satire. My favourite! I haven't laughed so much at a "political joke" since Joh Bjelke-Petersen was premier of QLD. Remember that time old Joh failed in his attempt to have QLD secede from the Commonwealth of Australia? Crazy old Joh had an army of jailed protest marchers arrested as political dissidents and press-ganged into working in chain gangs along the NSW/QLD border where they were forced into using jackhammers day and night in a futile attempt to cut QLD free of the rest of the Australian mainland. Unfortunately, the attempt failed and the State of Origin series is an annual reminder of just how close we came to raising the national IQ in one fell swoop. ;-)
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I love the wabbits! How good is that halfback Adam Reynolds! Did you see the other week how he appeared to have no problem moving around. Then Munster pushed him off, made a line break that lead to a crucial try and Reynolds promptly did his weekly limping around move.... How many boxes of tissues do you think he goes through when he gets those tats done...? Nah, he probably just goes under a local anesthetic hey..? :laughing: :silly:
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Huge improvement agreed ...the real deal is yet to be proven....so if Parra make the finals and I think they may just do that we shall see what he is made of. I think he is really at his best playing what is in front of him and yes he has masses of potential and it appears that Brad Arthur is staring to get the best out of him.....but as the old saying goes, one season does not make a champion
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
* This is a paid political advertisement on behalf of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. * Authorised by Reggie R * Spoken by P Smurf
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Of the alleged 'big four' of Wests 2 years ago (Woods, Tedesco, Brooks, and Moses), Tedesco is the only undisputed success. Still, maybe if Brooks or Moses played for the Roosters or Storm, they would look better than they do now.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
A fair call by BA jimmmy? Clearly he isn't talking about the Rabbitohs then. Milton is anything but fair then. The lime green toaster has a penchant for toasting Bunnies jimmmy. Not for fried chicken or smoked eel. Just toasted Bunnies! Pity he can't be objective like me in his assessment of the Pride of the League and the greatest club to have graced this competition and been showered in Glory, Glory!
Paul
Roar Guru
Stuart, I'm not sure how Moses can be considered the real deal when his side has had such a topsy turvey season. Fair enough they've won 13 games to date and racked up some big points, but were blotted out by the Raiders earlier this year and had 64 points put on them by the Storm and another 32 by Easts. Fair enough they beat Canberra during the SOO, but the most recent wins have been against sides that are out of form and not a chance to influence the premiership. The real deal means he takes control of the important games on a regular basis and guides his team to wins. He's got 3 games before the finals against an improving Doggies, the mercurial Broncos, then Manly and the finals to prove himself. I think he's got the talent but question whether he has the temperament. His performances over the next few weeks should answer my concerns, one way or the other.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
That’s a pretty fair call on Moses BA. It’s that last line that is the key though. He can crack when the tide turns against him. In finals footy at some stage the wheels will start to fall off and Moses will need to steady the ship. I really hope he can. I admit to being a long term critic but I truly do like players to prove me wrong. Parra deserve a bit of success so I wish him well.