NRL Market Watch: Mitchell Moses reaffirms commitment to Parramatta Eels amid contract speculation
The Parramatta Eels have reacted to speculation Mitchell Moses could seek an early exit from his contract and addressed his future at the club. MARKET WATCH.
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Mitchell Moses has reaffirmed his commitment to Parramatta after talks with club powerbrokers amid speculation the NSW Blues halfback is unsettled at the Eels.
It comes as a fired up Trent Barrett was peppered with questions about the Moses rumours on Thursday, with the interim Parramatta coach declaring the 29-year-old was “fine” when quizzed about the contract saga.
Moses signed an extension last May to remain at Parramatta until the end of 2026 – with options in his favour for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
But that hasn’t stopped rumours that Moses seek an early exit from the Eels who will miss the finals for a second straight season.
Moses has been in contact with Parramatta bosses, including new head coach Jason Ryles, in recent days to inform the club he intends to honour his deal.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos told this masthead Moses was not headed for an early exit.
“There are a number of people at the club that have spoken to Mitch and there is nothing to suggest he is anything but committed to the club,” Sarantinos said.
“Ultimately he is contracted to us until the end of 2026 and we all hope he will be for much longer than that.”
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s clash against Penrith, Barrett said he had not heard any internal rumblings about Moses, who suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in the Origin decider, being unhappy at the Eels.
“He’s had surgery, so yeah, no, he hasn’t been around too much, but, mate, I think he’s fine,” Barrett said.
“I’m more than happy to talk about last week’s win and this week’s game against Penrith, and if you want to talk about that instead.”
The 16th-placed Eels are battling to avoid the wooden spoon after a season ravaged by injury. Over 40 per cent of the club’s salary cap is sidelined through injury.
Moses let his frustrations over performances known to teammates during an expletive-laden spray after the loss to Newcastle in Round 17.
Barrett said the contract drama would not be a distraction for the struggling club looking to finish the season on a high after breaking a six-game losing streak with a win over the Warriors last weekend.
“The players have done really well to block it out and I know everyone’s trying to create a headline and look for a comment but my job is to prepare that team in there and that’s what I’m doing,” Barrett said
“I haven’t heard anything, no. As I said, I’m more than happy to talk about the game on the weekend, and I think the players deserve that, the way they performed last week against the Warriors.
“Mitch isn’t playing, so no, they’re not distracting. The boys are excited about it. We enjoy playing Penrith and we’ve got them at home as well.”
Moses has been linked to a number of NRL rivals this week including the St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters.
The Dragons told this masthead that Moses was not on coach Shane Flanagan’s radar, and the club has prioritised the recruitment of an elite forward and outside back.
The NRL’s anti-tampering rules prohibit a club from enticing a player to break a contract to join a rival or talking to a player before the November 1 deadline.
Moses does not become a free agent until November 1 in 2025, when he can talk to other clubs in relation to the 2027 season and beyond.
He is managed by his cousin Isaac Moses, who also looks after Penrith-bound, Parramatta junior Blaize Talagi.
The exciting youngster signed a three-year deal with the Panthers from next season after choosing not to take up an option to remain at Parramatta
Eels officials recently denied a request made by the management of rising forward Charlie Guymer seeking permission to speak with other clubs.
The promising rookie is also signed until the end of 2026 and Sarantinos is confident the 20-year-old is committed to his contract at the Eels.
Mitchell Moses has reaffirmed his commitment to Parramatta after talks with club powerbrokers amid speculation the NSW Blues halfback is unsettled at the Eels.
It comes as a fired up Trent Barrett refused to be drawn into the Moses rumours on Thursday morning, with the interim head coach simply declaring that the 29-year old was “fine” when quizzed about the contract saga.
Moses signed an extension last May to remain at Parramatta until the end of 2026 – with options in his favour for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
But that hasn’t stopped rumours that Moses could seek an early exit from the Eels, who are now on course to miss the finals series for a second straight season.
Moses has been in contact with Parramatta bosses, including new head coach Jason Ryles, in recent days to inform the club he intends to honour his deal.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos told this masthead Moses is not headed for an early exit from the western Sydney powerhouse club.
“There are a number of people at the club that have spoken to Mitch and there is nothing to suggest he is anything but committed to the club,” Sarantinos said.
“Ultimately he is contracted to us until the end of 2026 and we all hope he will be for much longer than that.”
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s clash against Penrith, Barrett said he had not heard any internal rumblings about Moses, who suffered a season ending pectoral injury in the Origin decider, being unhappy at the Eels.
“He’s had surgery, so yeah, no, he hasn’t been around too much, but, mate, I think he’s fine,” Barrett said.
“I’m more than happy to talk about last week’s win and this week’s game against Penrith, and if you want to talk about that instead.”
The 16th placed Eels are battling to avoid the wooden spoon after a season ravaged by injury. Over 40 per cent of the club’s salary cap is currently sidelined through injury.
Moses let his frustrations over on-field performances known to teammates during an expletive-laden spray after round 17’s loss to Newcastle.
Barrett said the contract drama would not be a distraction for the struggling club looking to finish the season on a high after breaking a six-game losing streak with a win against the Warriors last weekend.
“The players have done really well to block it out and I know everyone’s trying to create a headline and look for a comment but my job is to prepare that team in there and that’s what I’m doing,” Barrett said
“I haven’t heard anything, no. As I said, I’m more than happy to talk about the game on the weekend, and I think the players deserve that, the way they performed last week against the Warriors.
“Mitch isn’t playing, so no, they’re not distracting. The boys are excited about it. We enjoy playing Penrith and we’ve got them at home as well.
Moses has been sensationally linked to a number of NRL rivals this week including the St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters.
The Dragons told this masthead that Moses was not on the radar of coach Shane Flanagan, and that the club has prioritised the recruitment of an elite forward and outside back.
It’s believed Moses has been the subject of internal talks at the Roosters, where halfback playmaker Sam Walker will become a free agent from November 1.
The NRL’s anti-tampering rules prohibit a club from enticing a player to break a contract to join a rival outfit or talking to a player before the November 1 deadline.
Moses does not become a free agent until November 1 in 2025, where he can talk to other clubs in relation to season 2027 and beyond.
He is managed by his cousin Isaac Moses, who also looks after boom local junior Blaize Talagi.
Talagi opted not to take up an option to remain at Parramatta and join fierce rivals Penrith on a three-year deal from 2025.
Last week, Parramatta officials denied a request made by the management of rising forward Charlie Guymer seeking permission to speak with other clubs.
The promising rookie is also signed until the end of 2026 and Sarantinos is confident the 20-year old is also committed to his contract at the Eels.
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