Weekend Read: The sliding doors moment between the Bulldogs and Eels halfback Mitch Moses

Mitch Moses could’ve easily been in blue and white on Saturday night, but the struggling club still doesn’t have a classy No.7. Plus, how the Roosters can harness Spencer Leniu’s firebrand on-field persona. WEEKEND READ

Wouldn’t it be nice to kick the season off with some hope for the Bulldogs. A reason to believe that maybe the difficult days are behind them and the club is on an upward trajectory.

After all the headlines of the past 12 months, their fans could do with some optimism. A sliver of blue sky as they prepare to launch another year against Parramatta at Commbank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sadly, the missing piece of the Bulldogs puzzle will be playing for the Eels. Canterbury-Bankstown had a red-hot go at Mitchell Moses about 12 months ago.

This column understands he sat down with Canterbury officials including coach Cameron Ciraldo to discuss a move to Belmore as he gave serious thought to leaving Parramatta.

Moses was locked in talks with the Wests Tigers at the same time but he was at least willing to explore the options at the Bulldogs.

Big dollars were at stake given the dearth of quality halfbacks doing the rounds and Moses was in pole position to cash in.

The Bulldogs, at least initially, wanted a seat at the table as they sought to address a gaping hole in their side.

Ultimately, they reportedly withdrew from the race, Moses signed a mega-deal to stay at Parramatta and the Bulldogs’ search for a high-class No. 7 goes on.

The Bulldogs would've loved to have recruited Mitch Moses after meeting with him about possibly joining the club. Picture: NRL Images

What a difference Moses would have made heading into this season. The Bulldogs have strengthened in a handful of positions – most notably with the signing of Penrith superstar Stephen Crichton, Josh Curran, Blake Taaffe and Connor Treacy – but they lack quality where it counts and it isn’t only in the No. 7 jersey.

No-one at the club has hidden the concern over the lack of quality middles. Their desperation to add some size, power and class upfront led them to Siosiua Taukeiaho, but he failed a medical and headed back to France.

Instead, they have added journeymen in the shape of Zane Tetevano and Daniel Suluka-Fifita. Front-rowers are now prized possessions in the modern game.

They regularly appear at the top of News Corp’s Rich List, such is the esteem in which they are held by coaches and clubs. You can’t win consistently in the NRL without a couple of big boppers churning out the hard yards.

The Bulldogs are seriously short in that department. Still, halfbacks are the Kings of the castle and Moses is one of the best in the business. No disrespect to Drew Hutchison, who has done a serviceable job when called upon in the NRL, but he isn’t in the same realm.

If you listen to Bulldogs premiership-winner Braith Anasta, the younger Toby Sexton may be a better option. Anasta earlier this week on Fox League’s NRL360 spoke to the great concern with the Bulldogs – their options in the halves.

Toby Sexton (R) is a halfback option for the Dogs. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“Let’s be honest, they don’t have the luxury of riches in their halves,” Anasta said.

“If I am the Bulldogs I am going for a genuine No. 7 – Sexton. Yes he hasn’t set the world on fire, but he has got speed, he is more creative, and he is a No.7.

“He can unlock (Matt) Burton more I believe than Hutchison.

“After the trials I was not convinced that Hutchison was definitely the man for the job, so why wouldn’t you go for a genuine No. 7?

“I am a bit confused by it. I know they don’t have a luxury of riches in terms of their halves, but I would have gone with Sexton.”

Hutchison has something to prove and he will need to do it behind a pack that has serious concerns over whether it can lay the platform for the No. 7 to weave some magic. The Bulldogs have class out wide but someone needs to own the middle of the field.

No such problem at the Eels. Moses is blessed to play behind Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo, two of the best props in the business.

He contemplated his future 12 months ago and gave the Bulldogs a serious look.

When he took a gander under the bonnet, he decided to stay with the Eels. Ciraldo couldn’t convince him to shift. Nor could head of football Phil Gould, who has presided over a roster overhaul without solving the biggest issue at the club.

Moses would have solved that problem. Instead, he decided that Parramatta was his home. It was a game changing decision for the Dogs.

*****

Spencer Leniu came to the Roosters with a reputation as a firebrand. Picture: NRL Photos

If the opening game of the season is anything to go by, the Sydney Roosters will have their hands full with Spencer Leniu.

The Roosters prop arrived at Bondi Junction with a reputation as a firebrand. Nothing he has done so far would suggest he has changed his ways.

Leniu is a high-class player but plenty of good judges will tell you he is better placed coming off the interchange bench rather than starting.

The Roosters’ hands were tied to an extent heading into their season-opener against Brisbane with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves suspended.

When Waerea-Hargreaves returns and Leniu serves his ban for racially abusing Ezra Mam, perhaps he will return to a bench role.

Regardless, the Roosters have identified him as the long-term replacement for Waerea-Hargreaves, a kindred spirit in many regards.

Like Leniu, Waerea-Hargreaves is a gentle giant off the field. There aren’t many better blokes in the game than Jared, who is intelligent and thoughtful.

Media types who spent time with Leniu on a promotional trip to Las Vegas late last year insist he is a cracking bloke as well.

Yet Waerea-Hargreaves has walked a fine line his entire career, occasionally crossing it in his role as an intimidator with the Roosters.

Leniu is now under his wing and Waerea-Hargreaves has his work cut out if Las Vegas is anything to go by. So do the Roosters.

They need to find a way to harness Leniu’s aggression and will to win without removing the qualities that convinced them to sign him in the first place. He has learned a hard lesson over the past week.

Early next week, he will receive another when he is suspended by the NRL judiciary. A long stint on the sideline looms.

Originally published as Weekend Read: The sliding doors moment between the Bulldogs and Eels halfback Mitch Moses