NRL 2024: Parramatta approached about radical Mitch Moses replacement

A third party encouraged Parramatta to consider replacing injured halfback Mitchell Moses - who will be sidelined for months - with ex-NRL star Mitchell Pearce.

The Eels turned down the Moses-Pearce proposition.

A mystery third party encouraged Parramatta to consider replacing injured halfback Mitchell Moses with ex-NRL star Mitchell Pearce.

The approach prompted Eels general manager of football, Mark O’Neill, to discuss Pearce with Parramatta head coach Brad Arthur.

Ultimately, Arthur and O’Neill resisted any contact with Pearce, the club investing in rising star Blaize Talagi.

Moses fractured his left foot against Manly last week and will be out for between eight to 12 games.

It left the club short of depth in the halves with an external third party pushing Parramatta to look at Pearce.

Even if Parramatta wanted to open talks, Pearce would have rejected the interest.

Despite playing for Catalans in last year’s Super League grand final, Pearce has told friends he’s retired.

“Why wouldn’t they (discuss Pearce),” former Test forward Gorden Tallis told Triple M.

While Arthur has always admitted Pearce, the coach wanted to offer Moses’ spot to a player who has completed off-season and pre-season training.

The Eels turned down the Moses-Pearce proposition.

Pearce won’t be contacted by Parramatta officially or unofficially.

O’Neill felt a responsibility to at least inform Arthur about the third party approach.

No-one at Parramatta would reveal the identity of the third party.

Talagi, 19, debuted last week in the centres so shifting him to five-eighth for Easter Monday’s big game against Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium is a bold move from Arthur.

Pearce, 34, played 309 NRL games for the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle, helping the Roosters win the 2013 grand final. He played a further 41 games for Catalans in 2022 and 2023.

“Mitchell (Pearce) played hard and as a number seven he was a big body,” Tallis said.

“He was a great runner of the football and never shirked his job.”

Brad Arthur has earmarked Blaize Talagi as Moses’ 2024 replacement. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Former Bulldogs and Dragons prop James Graham told Triple M: “For Mitch, he’d be mad to come back and play.

“Imagine him coming back and the media scrutiny, the pressure. It would be a huge story.

“Could he cope with it? Absolutely, yes. But does he want to put himself and his family through that again? I’d be amazed if he came back.”

Pearce, who played 19 games for NSW over eight State of Origin series, was spotted at Allianz Stadium last Thursday night watching the Roosters play Penrith.

He was also informally discussed as a possible recruit by Wests Tigers last year.

Moses and Dylan Brown will resume as Parramatta’s first-string halves combination about rounds 12 to 14 when Moses returns.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Parramatta approached about radical Mitch Moses replacement