‘He’s training like someone who wants to be at the club’: Arthur likes what he’s seeing from Moses as Eels close in on new deal

Brad Arthur hasn’t spoken with Mitch Moses about his future, but he’s seen enough at training to think his star playmaker will stay with the Eels.

Mitch Moses hasn’t confirmed his plans for 2024, but Brad Arthur is confident his star playmaker will stay at the Eels. Picture; Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Brad Arthur didn’t have the Mitch Moses breaking news that Eels fans wanted to hear, but the Parramatta coach says his star halfback is showing all the signs of a player who wants to commit to the club long term.

Moses’ future has been one of the major talking points throughout the off-season, with the playmaker reportedly offered a mega deal to return to the Wests Tigers.

People have spent the past couple of months speculating on his future based on discussions with people who know someone who once sold a car to the person who lives next to the guy who works at Moses’ favourite butcher.

Brad Arthur is happy what he’s seen from Moses at Eels training as he mulls over his future. Picture; Jonathan Ng

While there is nothing concrete, Arthur is confident that Moses will be at the Eels next year based on how he’s performed at training leading into their season opener at home against the Storm on Thursday night.

“I’d love to be able to tell you, but I don’t know what’s happening there,” Arthur said.

“What I’ve seen from Mitch at training, the way that he’s training like someone who wants to be at the club.

“He’ll make his announcement when he’s ready, but I’m comfortable that he’s doing all the right things and that his attitude and heart are here.

The Tigers have offered Moses a huge deal to return to the club, but the Eels are in the box seat to keep him.

“It would’ve been nice (for the deal to have been done now) but it is what it is. It’s a big time in his career and he’s got to get it sorted.

“The club has been good about it, and once he makes his decision, we’ll get on with it. All the indications are with what he’s been doing here with his training and his buy-in, I feel like he wants to be here.

“I haven’t talked to Mitch. I know that you’re going to think that’s crap, but it’s true.

“I had a conversation with him early in the piece about my desire for him to stay, he knows that. I don’t feel like I need to be bugging him every day about it. I’ll leave that to the players who have been doing a fair job ribbing him about that.”

Moses is tipped to sign a four-year extension to stay at Parramatta after halves partner Dylan Brown inked a new deal a couple of months ago, but the pair have other things to worry about with a number of stars missing to start the year.

Isaiah Papali’i, Oregon Kaufusi and Marata Niukore have all moved on, Ryan Matterson is suspended, while Nathan Brown and star edge forward Shaun Lane are injured.

Bryce Cartwright will start the season in the back row as the Eels deal with a number of huge losses in the forwards. Picture; Jonathan Ng

Arthur says the club will have to apply for dispensation to pick players from outside the top 30, but he’s looking forward to seeing how his new look pack goes against a team that never loses in the opening round.

Bryce Cartwright has recovered from a jaw injury to start in the back row alongside Matt Doorey who will make his club debut, while hard-working J’maine Hopgood is expected to do good things in the middle after making the move from Penrith.

“It’s exciting because it gives other blokes an opportunity,” Arthur said of the changes.

“Someone hopefully steps up that we mightn’t have known about, especially in the back row where we’ve got some new players getting an opportunity there.”

Originally published as ‘He’s training like someone who wants to be at the club’: Arthur likes what he’s seeing from Moses as Eels close in on new deal