Mitch Moses is holding fire on a decision on where he’ll play in 2022 even though an option in his favour to stay at Parramatta is rapidly expiring.
The off-contract halfback has three weeks to activate a player option with the Eels for next season and it comes right as the NRL market for playmakers ramps up.
On Wednesday Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend was the first to switch clubs for next season, joining North Queensland on a three-year deal.
The signing will have implications for a raft of off-contract halfbacks with Shaun Johnson, Tom Dearden, Benji Marshall, Adam Reynolds, Ash Taylor and Moses among those hunting for the best possible deal.
The Broncos face an uphill battle to hold onto Dearden with the Cowboys in the hunt, while five-eighth Anthony Milford is also off-contract for next year.
Moses stands to be one of the biggest winners in the market movement and has already been linked to the Broncos as a main target for their troublesome No.7 jersey along with Reynolds.
However, on Wednesday the 26-year-old played it cool despite his deadline quickly approaching.
“I’ve left it fully up to (management) and I’m sure they’ll make the right decision by me and they’ll let me know when the right contract is ready to go and ready to sign,” he said.
It’s been reported the Eels have tabled a one-year extension to Moses in an attempt to keep him beyond next season and he’s indicated his preference to stay.
However, the market is in his favour if he wants to test it.
“I’d love to stay at the Eels, that’s my main thing, I’ve made that clear to them but that’s up to them now if they want to keep me or if my management will sort it all out,” he said.
At 26, Moses is coming into the prime of his career and was tipped for a big season from as early as January.
Eels coach Brad Arthur spotted him in the off-season at the club’s headquarters training outside of his contracted commitments, readying for a big year.
“Wherever I can get better in my footy I was open to and you’ve got to change it up every year, you can’t keep doing the same things and getting away with it,” he said.
“Wherever I can better myself in football and outside in life, I was trying.
“The game has changed so much, you have to be a lot fitter, you have to be on the ball so much and you can’t miss your opportunities.”
Premiership pacts are not uncommon in the NRL but despite a number of Eels players coming off-contract in 2021, Moses said there’s no such deal with their playing group.
“The ultimate goal is to get a premiership but everyone is different,” he said.
“Everyone is in a different situation and different ages, all those types of things.
“It gets tossed around every now and then but nothing in depth, the way footy is at the moment everyone looks after themselves and that’s how it is.”
© AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Jamayne Isaako missed five out of nine conversions in a huge win over the Eels - with the Channel Nine team having some fun…
The Eels led 8-4 at half-time. They lost 44-16 in a Dolphins onslaught.
Who is this team and what have they done with the Dolphins? With Wayne Bennett consigned to his sick bed back in Redcliffe, the…
The ball kept falling off the tee for Gutho's penalty kick and the fans were giving him heaps.
The Dolphins were playing with fire on their own line as Kodi Nikorima went for a reckless offload.
Jack Bostock stayed down after Clint Gutherson's attempted tackle and the Eels' skipper gave him plenty of lip about it.
