Tigers great Benny Elias has told nephew and Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses to shun a mega offer to return to his old club and stay at Parramatta.
The Daily Telegraph reported Elias has put club loyalties aside and told Moses that if he is happy at the Eels, he should re-sign with the club rather than switch back to the Tigers where he debuted in 2014.
Moses is off-contract in 2023 and has turned down a $1 million a season extension to test his value on the open market, with the Bulldogs, Tigers and Dolphins gunning hard for his services for 2024 and beyond.
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While Balmain legend Elias would selfishly love to have Moses back in black and gold, he believes Moses should remain at the Eels if he is happy in his football and life.
“My belief has always been that you stay somewhere where you’re happy and life couldn’t be any better for Mitch. Sometimes you have to put family and blood over club loyalty,” Elias told The Daily Telegraph.
“I totally understand Mitch’s dilemma and his frustration over what to do but he’s happy then he should stay.
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“Parramatta are a great side so you’re comparing a grand final side with a team (Wests Tigers) that got the wooden spoon.
“It’s a long year when you’re struggling, trust me so if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.
“Selfishly I’d love him to come to the Tigers – a club that will always be in my heart – but if you’re after satisfaction and happiness then why shift clubs? What’s the saying? Better the devil you know.
“The Eels have been very good to Mitch so I reckon they’re the favourites. Parramatta is desperate to keep him and he wants to win a premiership.
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“I get asked every day where Mitchell is going and, it’s only my opinion, but if he’s content, why move? Mitch loves Parramatta.
“Ever since I’ve known Mitch’s father (John), he has been a tragic Parramatta supporter. Those little things help make your decision.”
Elias believes it is unlikely Moses will uproot his young family to Queensland, which means it is down to a three-club race between the Eels, Tigers and Bulldogs for his services.
“Mitch hasn’t told me whether Gus (Phil Gould, Canterbury general manager of football) has contacted him but I know he is settled in Sydney and won’t leave,” Elias said.
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“Any side that doesn’t have a halfback would want Mitchell Moses. Why wouldn’t you? Mitchell speaks well, he’s a great ambassador and a crowd-pleaser.
“I was with Andrew Johns on Saturday and Joey is a real big fan of Mitchell. All those great halfbacks, Joey, Peter Sterling, Johnathan Thurston, they all became great from the age of 26 onwards.”
Moses, 28, has scored 35 tries and 1,078 points in 198 games for the Tigers and Eels and has played one Origin for NSW and eight Tests for Lebanon.
