http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s/news-story/a9e7ab012f2455dbeb81c2db4c3835da
Parramatta desperate for Mitchell Moses
Parramatta’s mid-season pursuit of Mitchell Moses has taken on added importance after Eels talisman Corey Norman suffered a knee injury yesterday that could sideline him for more than a month.
Norman, the Eels’ best performer this season, limped from the field in the 51st minute with a suspected grade two tear of his medial ligament.
The early prognosis was at least a month on the sidelines, although it could be no longer depending on the result of scans today.
The Eels have signed Moses for next season but the Tigers pivot has been pressing his current club to gain an early release so he can join Parramatta ahead of schedule.
Eels coach Brad Arthur was reluctant to discuss speculation over Moses’ impending arrival following his side’s thrashing at the hands of the Roosters, although no one could blame him for stepping up his pursuit this morning as he ponders an immediate future without Norman.
“That’s out of my control — that’s up to the Tigers,” Arthur said. “We have plenty of things we need to get right before we worry about that. I think — and obviously they’ll need to send him (Norman) for scans — but I’ve been told it’s a grade two medial.
“That’s about four weeks but we’ll have to get scans.”
The injury setback has ruined Norman’s hopes of securing a State of Origin debut in the opening game of this year’s series and could yet rule him out for the second game as well.
With North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston in doubt with a shoulder problem, Norman was locked in a four-way battle with Daly Cherry-Evans, Anthony Milford and Michael Morgan to wear the Maroons No 6 jersey had he been unable to overcome the problem.
Morgan made a statement on Thursday night with a man-of-the-match display while Milford led Brisbane to a win over Cherry-Evans’ Manly. Norman had no such joy. He and his teammates were the subject of an early blitzkrieg from the Roosters and by the time he left the field, the game was over.
Norman had his leg buckled in a tackle and immediately sensed a problem. He valiantly attempted to regain his place in the defensive line, limping noticeably, before making his way from the field and straight up the tunnel.
The injury is a savage setback to both his and the club’s ambitions. Aside from a Queensland jersey, Norman was in the thick of contention for the Dally M medal, trailing leader Cameron Smith by only six points heading into the weekend.
He now faces an extended stint on the sidelines, which has robbed him of the opportunity to potentially make his Origin debut as well.
Arthur insisted he and Norman had not discussed the prospects of playing Origin, instead focusing on his value to Parramatta.
“Me and Corey hadn’t really spoken about it,” Arthur said.
“His priority is playing well for Parramatta and if he’s playing well enough the teams will get selected on the back of that. Yeah, I’m disappointed for him, but I’m disappointed for our club.
“Because at the end of the day he’s here to play for Parramatta. He’s going to have lots of opportunities to play rep footy, but his priority is Parramatta.’’
