The NRL contract saga around star Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses has taken another twist, with fresh reports linking him with a move to the Roosters to replace Sam Walker. There are several major factors standing in the way of any such move – not the least of which being the very real likelihood Walker decides to extend his stay at the Roosters, rather than potentially switching clubs for more money when his current deal expires at the end of the 2025 season.
Unless Walker recommits to the Tri Colours before November 1 this year though, he will become a free agent and thus able to negotiate with rival clubs for 2026 and beyond. Following a standout season for Trent Robinson’s side in 2024, Walker would surely have plenty of suitors and could very well fetch a bigger contract at a rival club than what the Roosters are willing to offer.
Moses, meanwhile, has a contract with the Eels until the end of 2026, with options in his favour for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. But reports have emerged this week that he could look to agitate for an early release from Parramatta. Fox League’s James Hooper told NRL 360 on Wednesday night that “conversations have taken place” regarding the future of Moses, with the Roosters emerging as a potential landing spot for the Origin half.
“If Mitchell Moses hasn’t already asked Parramatta for a release, I think he does in the very near future. It’s a problem for (incoming Eels coach) Jason Ryles,” Hooper said. “His agent is his cousin Isaac Moses… he also looks after Blaize Talagi. We saw what happened last week, he’s gone to Penrith.
“All roads lead to the Sydney Roosters. (Club chairman) Nick Politis is the best deal-maker in the business in my view, you look at Cooper Cronk, Sonny Bill Williams. If uncle Nick wants to get a deal done he can. I’m not saying they’ve spoken, I’m not saying he’s done anything outside of the rules but I’m reading the tea leaves, speaking to players… It’s not rumours, it’s conversations, conversations that have taken place.”
Mitch Moses’ agent an obstacle in potential Roosters switch
Hooper revealed that a huge stumbling block in any potential Moses deal would be around his agent and cousin Isaac Moses’ fractured relationship with Roosters chairman Nick Politis. It’s understood the billionaire Roosters chairman resented the way the player agent used the Roosters as a tool to drive up the value of Mitch Moses’ contract when he was at the Wests Tigers. Politis and Isaac Moses also had a falling out around Joseph Suaalii’s multi-million dollar switch to rugby union, amid suggestions the player agent kept the Roosters in the dark about the deal.
“Moses is managed by his cousin Isaac. The stumbling block I can see with him going to the Roosters, the only stumbling block, is that Nick Politis refuses, he has given Isaac life,” Hooper added. “He will not do business with Isaac. But knowing the Roosters… if they want to do the deal they find a way.”
Money would appear to be no obstacle for the Roosters if Walker does depart and the club chases Moses, with a huge chunk of the Roosters salary cap freed up after this season with the big-money departures of Suaalii, Joey Manu, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sitili Tupouniua. “They’ve got $2.5 million dollars going out the door…. Teddy (Tedesco) and Mitch (Moses) are great mates, used to live together, even now only live 10 minutes apart,” Hooper pointed out. “They remain very good friends, and from what I’m hearing I think there’s been a couple of conversations.”
Moses has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn bicep suffered in the Blues’ State of Origin series victory. But there were a number of signs before that setback that Moses appeared from happy with life at the struggling Eels this season after some fiery exchanges with teammates during their miserable run of form. Whether that leads to Moses joining the Roosters remains to be seen though and is almost certainly dependent on whether Walker opts to leave, with the Roosters reportedly viewing him as their long-term halfback.