‘Were they conned?’: Mitch Moses conspiracy theory emerges

A conspiracy theory has emerged that the Eels and Tigers were both played during the saga surrounding the future of Mitch Moses.

Mitchell Moses got his wish. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Mitchell Moses was reportedly never going anywhere.

Eels fans were on Tuesday night celebrating news the star playmaker has signed a monster contract extension to remain at the club — despite the Tigers’ public pursuit of the 28-year-old.

However, a conspiracy theory has emerged that Moses and his representatives “conned” the Eels and Tigers during the rollercoaster contract negotiations.

It emerged on Tuesday Moses rejected an insane four-year, $5.2 million ($1.3 million per-year) offer from his junior club and has instead made a decision to re-committ to the Eels.

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The Sydney Morning Herald first reported the deal was all-but completed when the Eels upgraded their offer to $1.25 million per-season — making him one of the highest paid players in the competition alongside Kalyn Ponga, David Fifita, Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans.

Moses has been one of the hottest available properties since he went on the market as a free agent, but was adamant throughout the saga that he was motivated by winning premierships.

It’s why there were murmurings on Wednesday that the Eels and Tigers were both played.

Mitchell Moses was caught in the middle. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Channel 7’s Michelle Bishop said it appears likely that Moses was never going to leave the Eels, despite the months of rumours surrounding a potential move to his former club.

“Were the Eels conned? Was he ever really going anywhere? Was this actually a thing? It’s brutal, but I’m just not sure,” Bishop said on SEN Breakfast.

“It just dragged on and on and on and on. The Bulldogs were keen early on but dropped off early.”

She went on to say the rich offer to Moses may have been too much.

“What irks me, and I do love Mitchell Moses and I think he’s a great player, but more than Nathan Cleary?” she said.

“Kalyn Ponga, is OK, because he’s transitioning and all the rest of it. But more than Nathan Cleary? Does he bring as much to the table?”

Moses guided the Eels to a grand final last year and has been seen as the club’s best halfback since Peter Sterling.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie also believes Moses was never going to leave the Eels.

“I think that’s been the case from the very beginning,” he told Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday.

“I never really thought he was going. The Tigers’ deal was significantly higher than the Eels financially for Moses, but every time I made a call around this ongoing situation, the words I was hearing is that he wants to win a premiership and I think he realises that’s more likely at Parramatta than the Wests Tigers.

“I think the mail has been that he would stay at Parramatta for three months now.”

Speaking on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Gus, Jude & Wendell on Tuesday, Sailor said Moses had made the right call.

“At this stage of his career, he’s 28, 29, he doesn’t need to go back to the Tigers,” Sailor said.

“(The Eels) are more of a chance (to win a premiership) but I don’t think they will.”

Gus Worland said: “It’s great for the Eels, shattering for the Tigers fans who are trying to build something with Sheens, Farah and Benji.”

Mitchell Moses is staying. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

No return for the Tigers’ prodigal son. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

Moses has had a huge week, revealing his engagement to long-term partner Bri Gardoni, after he missed the birth of their daughter in September as he was playing in the Eels’ preliminary final win over the Cowboys.

It had been a three-way battle for the Lebanon half and one-Origin wonder but after the Bulldogs pulled out of the running, it left just Moses’ old club and his current club.

Tigers half and Moses’ great friend Luke Brooks had been attempting to lure him back to the club, he revealed in late January.

“I’ve spoken to him a couple times and told him what the vibe was like and how much it has changed – I’ve been selling the place to him,” Brooks said.

“I’m not too sure what his thoughts are, but I think he’d be a great addition to our side and I’d love to play with him again.

“I think when we came in (to the NRL) we were very young.

“We sort of spoke before about how we would like to have a chance to play together again.

“Whether that’s now or not, I don’t know, but hopefully he makes a decision soon, the one that’s best for him.”

Moses also said a fortnight ago he’d like to have his future secured before the start of round one.

Looks like he beat his self-imposed deadline.

Originally published as ‘Were they conned?’: Mitch Moses conspiracy theory emerges