Mitchell Moses’ chance for revenge after ’heartbreaking’ split with Ivan Cleary’s Tigers

It was the day a “filthy” Mitchell Moses became a sacrificial lamb in Ivan Cleary’s reign at the Tigers. Now he’s seeking revenge against the coach who let him go.

Mitchell Moses was let go by Ivan Cleary five years ago.

Revenge is a dish best served on grand final day. Five years ago, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary handed Mitchell Moses to Parramatta on a silver platter, a decision he may live to regret on Sunday night at Accor Stadium.

Cleary was in charge at the Wests Tigers when Moses was told he could leave and given a backhander on his way out. It was a decision that handed Moses to the Eels and left a bitter taste in the mouth of the young half.

Moses was ropable at the time, telling News Corp at the end of the 2017 season that he was heartbroken when he sat down at a meeting with Cleary and former Tigers football manager Kelly Egan, where they pulled a lucrative extension off the table.

Parramatta were gift wrapped the halfback who has finally buried the curse of the Eels No.7 jersey. The Tigers were left to pick up the pieces after Cleary left at the end of 2018 to join his son Nathan at Penrith.

“It was heartbreaking,” Moses said at the time.

“It ripped my heart out what they did. I didn’t see a point in staying there if they didn’t see a future with me after they pulled my deal.

“If someone comes into your work and says ‘look we don’t need you anymore’, you’re not going to feel welcomed.”

Mitchell Moses has a chance for revenge against his former coach Ivan Cleary. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The driving force behind the Eels’ pursuit of Moses was chief executive Bernie Gurr. Gurr had arrived at the club after the 2016 salary cap scandal armed with a mantra when it came to recruiting players: “Who is going to be holding the trophy for you at the end of the year.”

In Moses, the Eels saw a player who could help them hold the trophy.

“That’s what we thought – that Mitch could eventually be the leader of a premiership-winning team,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.

“You need a good controlling halfback. I was keen as mustard on Mitchell, I liked his running game.

“He had a strong kicking game back then. He has obviously matured. He was brave – defensively he needed some work but he was brave and willing.”

THE SPAT

Five years ago, the Tigers were a schmozzle as they juggled contract negotiations with their four biggest names – Moses, James Tedesco, Luke Brooks and Aaron Woods.

Something had to give as talks moved at a glacial pace. It did, albeit with pain suffered by all parties as Moses took years to overcome the stigma that followed him after the move.

Tigers officials had made Moses one of their priorities, tabling a deal believed to be worth as much as $3 million over three years. As talks stalled, Cleary took over from Jason Taylor and inherited the contractual imbroglio.

Ivan Cleary was a key player in Mitchell Moses’ exit from the Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The then-Tigers coach coined the phrase “on the bus” but when he decided to pull the offer to Moses, the bus ground to a halt. At the time, there were whispers that the Tigers wanted to unite Ivan with his son Nathan at the club.

Moses was effectively a sacrificial lamb for that to happen and when the Tigers’ offer was withdrawn, Moses and his manager Isaac Moses instantly requested a release so he could join Parramatta.

Their view was that Cleary had shown his hand. He didn't respect Mitchell. The request was initially rejected and Moses continued to turn out for the Tigers, his time at the club reaching its nadir when a full can of beer was hurled at him during a game against Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval.

“Everybody seemed to be aligned that this was a good thing for Mitchell,” Gurr said.

“Of course you had to work through and respect the Tigers’ position. We did that. Luckily on the second go, he got his release.

“I remember there was drama in his last game. It just seemed to be the right thing for Mitch that he leave.”

Cleary delivered a parting shot at Moses that gnawed at the Parramatta half.

“His last two performances and general demeanour suggested he just wasn’t happy and the logical conclusion was for us to part ways and that’s what we’ve done,” Cleary said.

Moses responded at the time.

“Ivan came out and said I wasn’t putting in for two or three games,” Moses said.

“You can’t put the (results) down to one player. That’s what hurt me the most. I have a lot of respect for Ivan but for him to come out and say that I was pretty filthy.”

Bernie Gurr during his time at CEO of the Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello

PARRA’S PURSUIT

Prior to joining Parramatta, Gurr had been living in the United States but keeping a close eye on the NRL from across the Pacific Ocean.

By chance, he had watched some Tigers games and Moses caught his eye.

“The club was not in good shape at the time,” Gurr said.

“On the footy side it was interesting because when I was watching a few of the games in the US before I came back out there, I had watched a few Tigers games with Mitch.

“Obviously you could identify he was a very good player. He was very good at reading numbers and that stuck in my mind.

“When I came back and started working with Brad and Peter Sharp, who was our recruitment manager, we started taking about what we needed. We started talking about MItchell.

“He grew up in the Parramatta area, he played SG Ball for Parramatta, he supported Parramatta. Handling he big four wasn’t going well for the Tigers and we were in constant talk with the managers about how we could improve our roster.

“We were in contact with Isaac Moses, who was Mitchell’s manager. We ended up getting a meeting with Mitchell. There was a good rapport there.

“We thought it was a really good fit for us.”

When Cleary pulled the deal, the door was ajar for Parramatta. At one point, in an attempt to break the stalemate, there were suggestions of a swap deal involving Moses and Clint Gutherson.

Eventually, the Eels got their man.

Mitchell Moses has a chance for revenge against former coach Ivan Cleary. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I think they (the Tigers) realised you can’t start pulling deals and indicating that you don’t want the player, and then say you won’t release him,” Gurr said.

“At the time I think it was a good play by us to pursue it. There’s a bit of irony there. It’s funny, Ivan started his coaching career when I was CEO at the Roosters.

“We got him over in 2003 to be reserve grade coach under Ricky Stuart. I go back a long way with Ivan. When I went to the Roosters in the mid-90s, he was one of the first players I signed from North Sydney to the Roosters.

“He was a terrific guy and he has clearly had a terrific coaching career. Very ironic he was involved indirectly around Mitch being at Parramatta.”

BURYING THE CURSE

Moses’ move to Parramatta has been an unmitigated success. Even his most ardent critics would concede that his signing has proven to be a sage piece of business by the Eels, having guided the club to their first grand final since 2009.

They have a shot at their first premiership since 1986, thanks in large part to a decision that was made five years ago by the coach he will oppose on Sunday night.

Gurr couldn’t be happier for the club or Moses. He will be at Sunday night’s grand final and like the thousands of long-suffering Eels fans, hoping that the club can end a drought that stretches back more than 30 years.

If that is to happen, Moses will be at the heart of it.

“Hopefully he will be there for the rest of his career because he has really matured into an elite player,” Gurr said.

“He can do things other players can’t do.”

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Originally published as Mitchell Moses’ chance for revenge after ’heartbreaking’ split with Ivan Cleary’s Tigers