Ivan Cleary undecided on Moses' Eels move

Apr 16, 2017 - 3:52 AM Wests Tigers coach Ivan Cleary hasn't decided if Monday's match against Parramatta will be Mitchell Moses' last for the NRL club, but insists the ongoing saga won't affect the five-eighth's performance.

Moses will front up against his future team just weeks after signing with the Eels and requesting an immediate release, which could be granted in coming days.

That decision of whether he will go will ultimately be left in the hands of Cleary, who is opposed to the idea of mid-season transfers and won't be rushed on a call.

"You sign a contract, you should stick to it," Cleary said on Sunday.

"I really haven't thought about it too much at all ... I guess those thoughts will come to my head when they come in."

More poignantly in Cleary's mind is turning around the Tigers' season, a battle which took a significant step in his first game in charge last Saturday.

Moses was one of the Tigers' best in the shock 26-16 win over North Queensland and, with Luke Brooks still injured, the 22-year-old will be key in Monday's outcome.

Cleary has had an eight-day turnaround to introduce his style of coaching, but said he hadn't felt the need to speak to Moses about his mental approach.

"I guess for Mitch it's crossed his mind we're playing Parramatta," Cleary said.

"But heading into tomorrow the focus will be on his job at the Wests Tigers."

Moses' future could hinge on the health of re-signed Brooks' injured hamstring, given the Tigers have limited options in the halves.

Jack Littlejohn is already acting as Brooks' replacement, while backs Jordan Rankin and Justin Hunt considered to be their next best.

Any early release of Moses would therefore hurt the Tigers' attack, particularly while Brooks is unavailable - and Cleary said the halfback won't be rushed back.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said he was still unsure if Moses would arrive early, as the Eels continue playing with a makeshift five-eighth in Brad Takairangi, with Clinton Gutherson filling in at the back for injured fullback Bevan French.

However Arthur said he was happy with the makeshift set up, and that it was ill-timed errors that had the Eels fall from the top of the table to four straight losses.

"There are some big moments in the game that we're not quite nailing at the moment," Arthur said.

"Those big moments can give a run of possession to the opposition. And in that big run of possession it's hard to defend seven or eight sets back to back."

STATS THAT MATTER

* Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has made the equal-most tackle busts this season and most offloads.

* Michael Jennings has scored 10 tries in 12 games against the Panthers.

* In 10 matches played between these sides at ANZ Stadium, the designated home team has never won.

Source: Fox Sports Stats

Source: AAP