Not sure if this has been linked here already
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-name-mitchell-moses-for-canterbury-bulldogs-clash-with-star-unlikely-to-get-midyear-release/news-story/eeeb3ed5381123eeffc120b7e682a155
Wests Tigers name Mitchell Moses for Canterbury Bulldogs clash with star unlikely to get midyear release
Dean Ritchie and Christian Nicolussi, The Daily Telegraph
25 minutes ago
Subscriber only
NOT so fast, Mitch.
Wests Tigers named Mitchell Moses for Sunday’s clash with Canterbury as the club emphatically blocked the star player a mid-season release to Parramatta.
And The Daily Telegraph has learned they will only release Moses from his 2017 contract should they find a “goalkicking five-eighth’’ to replace him.
Coach Ivan Cleary passed on that very message to Moses during a meeting on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old is understood to be more than prepared to honour his Tigers deal before linking with the blue and golds next year.
Moses left Concord Oval just after 2.30pm and looked in good spirits.
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Moses was told on Tuesday he will not be released. .
There is every chance he will combine with good mate Luke Brooks against Canterbury on Sunday, with the halfback named in the No. 21 jersey.
Cleary has the individual power to release Moses, but club officials believe he will consult the board over such a significant decision.
Wests Tigers held a board meeting on Tuesday night where the Moses issue was briefly discussed.
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One well-placed source said: “Who weakens their own club to strengthen a rival club?
“If they let him go, the club has all but written off their season.”
Parramatta are understood to have an “action plan” ready should Moses be granted an immediate release.
Coach Brad Arthur told The Daily Telegraph: “It’s with the Tigers. And I’m happy with my halves, they did a good job on the weekend.’’
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Moses will link with Parramatta next season.
The Tigers could save several hundred thousand dollars by releasing Moses early — extra money the club could throw at off-contract stars Aaron Woods and James Tedesco.
Talk of luring unwanted Broncos playmaker Benji Marshall back to the Tigers for a fairytale final swan song will not happen.
The like-for-like Moses replacement does not necessarily have to come from Parramatta.
Cleary will have the final say on Moses, but powerbrokers believe the youngster has a contract and should complete the season as a Tiger.
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They don’t have too many replacement options with Jack Littlejohn, Jordan Rankin and Justin Hunt the halves options should Moses walk.
One insider said: “You would think Mitch would want to finish the year playing with all his mates. He doesn’t look unhappy on the field and is playing strongly.”
Club officials privately fear missing the finals to an equally-ranked Parramatta side boosted by Moses’ midyear inclusion.
The 14th-placed Tigers are competing with the 10th-placed Eels among the sides striving to sneak into the top eight.
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Moses’ teammates expected him to aim up against the Bulldogs, just as he had done all season. There had been no discussion about him bailing on them after seven rounds.
“He’s a class player, he competes on every play, and that’s the kind of people you want on your team and play next to,’’ forward Josh Aloiai said.
“Mitch trains really hard, he competes at training and been doing it in the games as well, so that’s all we can ask from him.
“He’s still playing with commitment, and it’s not about looking forward too far, and wherever he’s playing that week, he’ll commit and give his best, and that’s what he’s doing.’’
Forward Suauso Sue added: “He’s at training today and doing review with us, so hopefully he plays this week.’’
Since the drama erupted, when the Tigers pulled Moses’ offer, the star No. 6 has been instrumental in his side’s upset win over North Queensland in round six and last Sunday’s narrow loss to Parramatta.
