Mitchell Moses would love halves partner Dylan Brown to stay at the club, but the Eels skipper won’t pressure the five-eighth after he went through similar contract pressure a couple of years ago before he decided to stay.
Watch the Nines Premier League Sat Jan 25 & Sun Jan 26 on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo?Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Brown signed a deal in late 2022 to stay at the Eels until 2031, but the contract was littered with clauses, including one that allows him to negotiate with rival clubs if he doesn’t recommit by round 10.
Brown’s management has already indicated that he’s ready to hear offers from other clubs, but the Eels hope they can convince the Kiwis playmaker to stay as the club heads in a new direction under rookie coach Jason Ryles.
Moses went through the same pressure a few years ago before he signed an extension with the Eels, and he hopes his good friend follows in his footsteps and decides to stay.
MORE NRL NEWS
TITANS: Ex-Wallabies star surprise position switch could fast-track NRL dream
NEW BEGINNINGS: UK recruit reveals what he’s learned from Wayne Bennett already
WHISPERS: Sharks’ update on Mulitalo as star winger ‘had a laugh’ over Broncos link
“That’s up to Dyl. I hope he stays. I love him, I love him to death,” he said.
“I feel like I play my best footy with Dylan. That’s a decision he’s going to have to make in due course. I might start to (get in his ear).
“What he does outside footy is what nobody sees and he has a massive effect on the Parramatta area.
“I really hope he stays. He knows I love playing with him, and I think everyone else in the team loves playing with him, so he knows where we all stand.
“It’s up to him, you give him as much time as he wants.”
Stability in the halves would make life much easier for Moses in his first year as skipper after Ryles named him to lead the club following Clint Gutherson’s move to the Dragons where he has since been named co-captain.
Moses was unveiled on Thursday in front of players, coaches and club legends and was told to be himself and not change too much in his new role.
“I grew up supporting this club. I’ve seen a lot change at the club, so for me to be able to captain the club at the moment and hopefully lead us into something special is (something) I’m really excited for and couldn’t be more proud,” he said.
“I don’t think too much changes. My role won’t really change. I will probably just have to do a bit more of this (media), but I don’t think my role will change too much.
“I will still be a leader that I was doing before on the field. I’m excited for what’s to come. I don’t want to change too much. I just want to keep it as simple as possible
“He (Ryles) just grabbed me and just said I was ready for it. I feel like I’m ready for it and to take it with both hands, and I’m ready to lead this club, lead this group of boys.
“I feel like we’ve got a really good group here at the moment. I’ve got a lot of good support around me in this group as well.”
That includes some much-needed strike out wide with Josh Addo-Carr and Zac Lomax joining the club, with the latter set to replace Moses as first-choice goal-kicker this season.
But the biggest change has been at the top with Ryles replacing long-time coach Brad Arthur, with the club desperate to turn things around after they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon in 2204.
“He has really brought the boys together,” Moses said.
“There’s been a lot of change for us, how we train, how long we train – the whole schedule has pretty much taken a flip. He has stamped his authority, I guess, but everyone’s reacting well, everyone’s buying into what he’s trying to bring to the club.”
Discussion about this post