NRL 2022: Mitchell Moses talks Origin, Brad Arthur and finding a balance in life

Parramatta star Mitchell Moses is coming off his best season on the footy field, thanks to getting his life in order off of it writes BRENT READ.

Parramatta Eels star Mitchell Moses has found a life outside of rugby league with Kanebridge Finance. Picture: Toby Zerna

Mitchell Moses turns 28 later this year, an age when he should be entering his prime as a playmaker in the NRL.

The signs are certainly promising. Moses is coming off the best year of his career, highlighted by a State of Origin debut as part of the all-conquering NSW Blues.

In his most expansive interview yet, Moses sat down with News Corp to talk about the tumultuous off-season at the Eels, his relationship with coach Brad Arthur, captaincy at the club, the prospect of spending his career playing second fiddle to Nathan Cleary, and the steps he is taking to set himself up for life after football.

Parramatta Eels star Mitchell Moses has built a life outside of rugby league with Kanebridge Finance. Picture: Toby Zerna

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

THE OFF-SEASON

As soon as Parramatta’s season came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of eventual premiers Penrith, Moses packed his bags and went on holiday to Airlie Beach in north Queensland with good mate James Tedesco.

While he was enjoying his break, a handful of his teammates were weighing up their futures. Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i all signed with rival clubs for 2023.

Moses had every right to be upset. When his contract was up last season, he didn’t even entertain interest from elsewhere. He told his management to get the deal done with Parramatta.

“I jumped at the opportunity to be the first to re-sign,” Moses said.

“I was clear straight away that I wanted to get my deal done and commit long-term. I love the club and what they have done for me.

Parramatta co-captains Clint Gutherson and Junior Paulo.

“I don’t blame anyone for leaving. You never know what they have going on their life outside football.

“Those players that are moving on have come back in great shape and want it prove they are here for us this year.

“As a club we want to send them out on a high and they’re desperate to do the same.”

While the Eels will lose a high profile trio at the end of the season, it wasn’t all bad. Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard are going nowhere.

“They are the core of our club,” Moses said.

LEADERSHIP AND BRAD ARTHUR

The Eels changed their leadership structure in the off-season as Junior Paulo was named co-captain alongside Clint Gutherson.

The immediate reaction was why not Moses? The Eels half is arguably the club’s most important player and makes no secret of his passion for Parramatta.

Last weekend alone, he attended junior representative games at Leichhardt Oval and Cabramatta. If a junior club reaches out during the season, Moses invariably lends a hand.

He is every inch the leader.

“I don’t feel like I need to have the captain next to my name to be a leader,” Moses said.

“I know where I stand at the club. Everyone knows where I stand at the club. I don’t need a name tag. I think the two people who are there – Junior and Gutho – they are definitely our captains.

Mitch Moses, Brad Arthur and Clint Gutherson at Eels training.

“I don’t need the C to be a bigger voice or leader.”

The decision was no doubt eased by his relationship with coach Brad Arthur.

“Me and Brad, our relationship is really close,” Moses said.

“We have that relationship that he can come to me about anything. He is really open with me and I am really open with him.

“He can spray me and I can spray him and we get over it. We never take anything to heart. We have been through pretty much everything together.

“I can go to him about anything and speak to him about anything in my life, not just about football.”

ORIGIN MEMORIES AND NATHAN CLEARY

Moses breaks into a broad grin as he begins to talk about his Origin debut last season. He finished the game in agonising pain thanks to fractured bones in his back, but comforted by the knowledge that he had played his part in the win and silenced those who questioned whether he was ready for that arena.

Moses acknowledges it may be his only chance. Nathan Cleary is only 24 – three years younger than him – and has a mortgage on the Blues No. 7 jersey.

“You never know what can happen,” Moses said.

Moses in action for the Blues during game three of the 2021 State of Origin Series. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It will be tough because he is deadset the best half in the comp at the moment. I have all the respect in the world for what Nath has done and what he has been doing for the last couple of years.

“If my time comes again, I’ll definitely be better for the experience.”

Moses is an avid watcher of rugby league and he has taken particular interest in Cleary’s game.

“I definitely watch him, how he controls himself as a player, how he controls the game, how good he is defensively, he has the whole package,” Moses said.

“You definitely try to watch him and take some notes out of his game. He is a special talent.”

FINDING BALANCE AND LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Early in his career, Moses was consumed by rugby league. It was all he thought about.

He realised things had to change when he made the high-profile move from the Wests Tigers to Parramatta.

He had to find some balance so he started dabbling in real estate and investments.

“I came into first grade at 18 or 19 and all I did was focus on footy,” he said.

“I would overthink. If I had a bad day at training I couldn’t get away from it. If I had a bad game, it would stay with me for a week.

“I had all my eggs in the footy basket. That’s all I ever wanted to do. I just wanted to play footy. I finally got there and realised I wanted something else in my life.”

Enter Kanebridge Finance. Moses completed a Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) diploma and has begun working with a mentor, Jon Gawley.

Recently he took an ownership stake in their retail division and is in the office whenever he gets a spare moment.

Moses has found a balance between football and life off the pitch. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“Whenever you work with someone who wants to learn it is a really positive experience,” Gawley said.

“Mitch’s aptitude is what has impressed me most – we talk daily about the latest trends in the residential finance industry and he’s taking to it like a duck to water.”

For Moses, it has been a Godsend. He has been a lightning rod for criticism at times during his career and he concedes it has affected him in the past.

Finding another interest has helped ease the burden.

“I worked very hard to put myself in a position to jump in with Kanebridge – I wanted to set myself up with a reputable brand,” Moses said.

“It has quickly become a big part of my life. I’ll always watch football, I just think it’s important for it not to be all-consuming. After you finish training or games, you have to have an off switch or something else to keep your mind ticking over.

“Finding a good balance makes a big difference.”

WINNING A PREMIERSHIP

The last thing Moses wants is to see a headline that screams he is about to deliver a premiership to long-suffering Parramatta fans. They went close last year and Moses is desperate to take the next step.

“Like I said, going to Parramatta has been the best thing for me,” he said.

“Lifting the trophy in our Eels jersey would be unbelievable.”