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ESTS TIGERS
Mitchell Moses never wanted to leave Wests Tigers according to his uncle Benny Elias
Ben Glover
April 6, 2017 7:27pm
BEN GLOVER@glover_benny
Source: FOX SPORTS
BALMAIN legend Benny Elias says departing Wests Tigers five-eighth Mitchell Moses had no other choice but to cut and run.
Reports emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Moses had turned his back on a $1 million-a-season three-year deal to stay at the Tigers, to instead sign with Sydney rivals Parramatta.
That version of events has since been disputed by the Tigers, with the club releasing a statement saying the offer to Moses had been withdrawn so the retention of Aaron Woods and James Tedesco could be prioritised.
Cynics have suggested that the Tigers only made public their version of events to put the brakes on a perception the club was spiralling out of control, unable to stop players leaving even with extraordinary seven-figure offers.
However Elias, who is Moses’ uncle, says that’s exactly what happened, with the club’s move blindsiding the 22-year-old and forcing him to act quickly to secure his future.
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Moses likely to be releasedMoses likely to be released0:58
“I’m sure he’s very sad about exiting the Tigers but it is what it is and unfortunately the official comment that came out in the press release from the Tigers was that they wanted to prioritise Tedesco and Woods, which is fair enough,” Elias told Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper for NRL Tonight.
“So he had to make a move fairly quickly.
“Mitchell does not want to move, he never wanted to move, his mates there are all very very close, he loves the club, they’ve been terrific, but look they talk about the salary cap, they want to try and keep these two other players, they’ve already signed up Brooks, which is the third of the four.”
Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Storm football manager Frank Ponissi to discuss the bombshell Cooper Cronk news and what it means for the club.
[automatically edited] off benny and take your nephew.
Never wanted to leave?!?! he has a contract on the table for months. Did he sign? no he dicked around wasting everyones time. Absolutely disgusted in these players, the managers and the nnnnrl for allowing trades andcontracts done during the season. Get contracts done in the off season!!!! If managers or p layers break the rule, ban f2fthem for two years straight up!!!
More of the same from Uncle Benny :
Balmain Tigers’ Benny Elias says Mitchell Moses had no choice but to leave Wests Tigers
DEAN RITCHIE, The Daily Telegraph
April 6, 2017 5:00pm
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BALMAIN legend Benny Elias has spoken out about his nephew Mitch Moses’ shock decision to quit Wests Tigers, declaring: “My heart bleeds.”
Moses signed with Parramatta after having his Wests Tigers offer withdrawn because the club decided to make Aaron Woods and James Tedesco their priority retentions.
Player agent Isaac Moses, who represents Mitchell Moses, sought an immediate release, which, for now, has been rejected.
Elias, the Balmain Tigers, NSW and Australian champion, was devastated for his nephew.
“Mitchell was forced out — of course he’s upset. He loves the club, he loves the place, he loves everything about the Tigers. He wanted to stay,” Elias said.
“My heart bleeds because I love the Tigers — but I understand why the kid did what he did. He was forced into a corner. He was told by the hierarchy he wasn’t a priority.”
Wests Tigers issued a media statement at 9.28pm on Wednesday blaming the uncertainty over next year’s salary cap for taking Moses’ deal off the table.
Elias was shattered by the revelation.
“Mitchell didn’t have much choice,” Elias said.
“I am disappointed, of course I am disappointed, like every other Tigers supporter. The club made a stance in their press release, stating they wanted to make Woods and Tedesco a priority and they withdrew Mitchell’s offer.
“You can understand what the young man did, his position, and his urgency to do the right thing for himself and his future. You can understand why he wanted an immediate exit.
“Have a look at the statement, they said they were withdrawing his offer to focus on Tedesco and Woods. I’d be dejected and upset also if I read that. I support Mitchell and his management 100 percent.”
Wests Tigers have denied a release to the Eels for Moses for now given the club is struggling for quality halves with Luke Brooks out injured. And it would be unlikely the club would allow Moses to walk away next week to play with Parramatta, who confront the Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Easter Monday.
Wests Tigers may consider allowing Moses a release in a few weeks.
“Ask any employee who is told by their boss that the company was going to prioritise and withdraw your offer, you’d have to be very disappointed, extremely disappointed, especially when you are wanted by many other clubs. I am very sad that he’s gone,” Elias said.
“But I have met (Eels coach) Brad Arthur, what a wonderful human being he is. He will be very good for Mitchell.”
