NRL Market Watch 2022: Parramatta Eels’ plan to lock in Mitchell Moses for life

Parramatta has started contract negotiations that could see star halfback Mitchell Moses play out the rest of his career at the Eels.

Mitchell Moses had a blinder against the Tigers on Saturday night (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Parramatta has started contract negotiations that could lead to gun halfback Mitch Moses being signed to the Eels for the rest of his NRL career.

Moses, who turns 28 in September, is under contract for 2023 and is expected to take up an option in his favour for 2024.

Discussions have now started for a new deal which could span a further three seasons – a deal which would see the brilliant halfback locked away until the end of 2027.

The overall deal would be worth more than $5m.

Moses would be aged 33 after the 2027 season. He may opt to continue for another year or decide to retire from the NRL.

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Negotiations over Mitchell Moses’ contract at Parramatta have kicked off. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

While his contract value would be kept confidential, Moses could command around $1m to $1.2m a season on the open market.

Well-placed sources claim the Dolphins have made a gentle inquiry about Moses’ contract situation but no offer was lodged.

Contract talks between Moses and Parramatta are preliminary and both parties have considerable work to complete before any deal can be finalised.

There is a feeling that Moses and Parramatta are seeking the same outcome. The club has a strong relationship with Moses and his family.

Moses is known to be happy and content in a Parramatta side charging towards another top four finish. He recently bought a property in Sydney’s inner-west.

Parramatta declined to comment on Moses’ contract negotiations.

Mitchell Moses had a blinder against the Tigers on Saturday night (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

While Parramatta has lost Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors) and Ray Stone (Dolphins), Moses is said to be comforted that Clint Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo and Ryan Matterson have all signed long-term.

And Parramatta is also hopeful young five-eighth Dylan Brown, off contract after next season, will also re-sign before November 1. Brown and family are entrenched living in Sydney’s west.

Talks between Parramatta management and Brown have begun over a significant contract extension.

Moses, Brown and Gutherson would make up three-quarters of Parramatta’s spine long-term.

Mitchell Moses is set to be offered a lifetime deal (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The Eels are also hopeful barnstorming Fijian winger Maika Sivo can be retained. There had been reports that European rugby union may be interested in Sivo.

The Eels also declined to comment on their contracts.

Moses was a standout yet again in Parramatta’s 28-20 win over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.

He scored a decisive try just after halftime and kicked four goals for an individual tally of 12 points.

Moses’ Eels have their next three games at CommBank Stadium against Warriors (round 18), Brisbane (round 19) and then Penrith (round 20).

The Eels-Panthers game is on track to be a 30,000 sellout.