Parramatta legend Peter Sterling is not convinced halfback Mitchell Moses is worth the reported $800,000 the Eels will pay him per season — at least not while he remains inconsistent.
Drawn out and public contract negotiations were finally wrapped up over the weekend, with the 24-year-old committing to the club for a further three years.
A day later, the Eels were thumped 42-22 by the Sharks, calling into question whether Moses’ form demands such a high salary.
Speaking on the Sunday Footy Wrap on Channel 9, Sterling said he’s not ‘consistent enough’ to demand that kind of money and he needs to live up to it every week, not just every now and then.
“Only time will tell. Potentially he is [worth $800,000 per season],”
Sterling said on the Sunday Footy Wrap.
“That’s an investment made by the club in Mitchell Moses for the next three seasons. But now he’s got to live up to that price-packet and earn it every week and not just every now and then.
“I had a chat with Brad Arthur before the season started, and he said that he sat down with Mitch Moses and realised he had to change some things,” Sterling said.
“He was quite a cocky individual, had a bit of attitude about him, maybe blamed others for his shortcomings, but he addressed that. He stripped it all back.
“He didn’t go on a trip away, he actually stayed and trained an extra couple of weeks. He did the right things.
“I thought his form early in the season was outstanding, but like the side has, it’s levelled off.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Fox Sports expert Michael Ennis.
Speaking before Saturday’s loss to the Sharks where he missed seven tackles, made an error but came up with two try-assists, Ennis also pointed to the inconsistencies in his game.
When asked if Moses is worth his price tag, Ennis said: ‘some weeks’.
“He’s had [17] try assists this year in the games and when he’s been in that mood he’s as good as any other half in the competition. But there’s been other weeks where [he has been] unsighted.
“Maybe there’s been a lot of distractions in the background surrounding this contract situation, it’s been extremely public.
“No doubt it will take a lot of weight off his shoulders.”
