NRL market watch: Benny Elias says Mitchell Moses won’t move from Sydney, should stay with Eels

Balmain legend Benny Elias has declared one club out of the race to sign his nephew Mitch Moses, and reveals the team he thinks the star Eel should play for in 2024.

Brian To'o has extended his stay at Penrith until the end of the 2027 season. Picture: Getty Images.

He is the Balmain legend who will always hold an abiding love for his Wests Tigers.

But Ben Elias has a strong message for his nephew and Tigers target Mitchell Moses: “If you’re happy at Parramatta then re-sign.”

Moses, 28, comes off contract after next season and is wrestling with massive interest — all worth more than $1 million a season — from Parramatta, the Tigers and Canterbury.

The Bulldogs are also interested in off-contract Penrith centre Stephen Crichton, who the Panthers are trying to re-sign now that Origin winger Brian To’o has been retained until the end of 2027.

Like Parramatta, Penrith are battling an incredibly tight salary cap but still hope to make a respectable offer to Crichton, who is being courted to play fullback at Canterbury.

The Bulldogs may find it challenging to squeeze both Moses and Crichton under their burgeoning cap, as they also look to upgrade five-eighth Matt Burton’s contract.

While the Tigers remain keen on Moses, it goes against Elias’s black-and-gold heart to admit his nephew should remain an Eel.

“My belief has always been that you stay somewhere where you’re happy and life couldn’t be any better for Mitch. Sometimes you have to put family and blood over club loyalty,” Elias said.

“I totally understand Mitch’s dilemma and his frustration over what to do but he’s happy then he should stay.

Wests Tigers legend Benny Elias believed his nephew Mitchell Moses should remain at the Eels. Picture: Christian Gilles

“Parramatta are a great side so you’re comparing a grand final side with a team (Wests Tigers) that got the wooden spoon. It’s a long year when you’re struggling, trust me so if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.

“Selfishly I’d love him to come to the Tigers – a club that will always be in my heart – but if you’re after satisfaction and happiness then why shift clubs?

“What’s the saying? Better the devil you know.

“The Eels have been very good to Mitch so I reckon they’re the favourites. Parramatta is desperate to keep him and he wants to win a premiership.

“I get asked every day where Mitchell is going and, it’s only my opinion, but if he’s content, why move? Mitch loves Parramatta.

“Ever since I’ve known Mitch’s father (John), he has been a tragic Parramatta supporter. Those little things help make your decision.”

Moses has also attracted considerable interest from the Queensland-based Dolphins.

With a young family and now happily settled in Sydney’s inner-west, it appears increasingly unlikely Moses would uproot his life for Redcliffe.

Moses has received interest from a number of other NRL clubs, as they attempt to pry the star Eel away from Parramatta. Picture: Getty Images

“Mitch hasn’t told me whether Gus (Phil Gould, Canterbury general manager of football) has contacted him but I know he is settled in Sydney and won’t leave,” Elias said.

“Any side that doesn’t have a halfback would want Mitchell Moses. Why wouldn’t you? Mitchell speaks well, he’s a great ambassador and a crowd-pleaser.

“I was with Andrew Johns on Saturday and Joey is a real big fan of Mitchell. All those great halfbacks, Joey, Peter Sterling, Johnathan Thurston, they all became great from the age of 26 onwards.”

Meanwhile, former Manly prop Martin Taupau remains unsigned for next season. Five clubs are understood to be interested in the World Cup forward but are being hindered by the game’s failure to nail down a CBA and salary cap.

MARKET WATCH: PANTHERS EXTEND GF HERO AFTER STELLAR SEASON

Matt Encarnacion

A day after celebrating his wedding, Penrith star Brian To’o has signed a four-year extension with the club.

The re-signing caps off a year to remember for the Panthers winger, who was part of their successful premiership defence and also represented NSW in the State of Origin series and played a key role in Samoa’s fairytale run to the World Cup final.

A number of Panthers stars, including co-captain Nathan Cleary and coach Ivan Cleary, as well as Jarome Luai, Spencer Leniu, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards and Matt Eisenhuth, were present at To’o’s wedding on Thursday, which was live streamed on YouTube.

Brian To'o has extended his stay at Penrith until the end of the 2027 season. Picture: Getty Images.

The deal keeps the 24-year-old at his local club until the end of the 2027 season.

“I’m very grateful and blessed to call Panthers home for the next four years,” To’o said.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. I can’t wait to play for our amazing members and fans, who have shown me nothing but love and support.”

The extension means the Panthers can now turn their attention to the rest of their off-contract premiership heroes, including centre Stephen Crichton and forwards Spencer Leniu and Scott Sorensen.

Originally published as NRL market watch: Benny Elias says Mitchell Moses won’t move from Sydney, should stay with Eels