If the trend continues, the Wests Tigers may soon prove unrecognisable to their supporters.
After giving the axe to head Coach Jason Taylor and handing the reins to Ivan Cleary, player defections have been the latest development.
Mitchell Moses, a young gun with years left on his clock, has given the cold shoulder to a $3 million, three-year offer to remain at the Tigers and is asking for an immediate release in order to join the Parramatta Eels for two years, to commence in 2018.
The Tigers did not take the news favourably, with club pharaoh Justin Pascoe denying Moses’ request to be given is exodus.
The issue raises some thorny issues.
If the Tigers make Moses play out the season, what can they expect from him in terms of effort? Do they let him transfer to the Eels immediately?
The deal with the Eels is actually not so much about the money as it seemingly is about Moses not wanting to remain where he is now.
The Eels have successfully persuaded Moses that his interests of footy glory are best served by switching to a club with a strong forward pack and dynamic backrowers manning the edge.
The poach is a huge coup for the Eels, but something of a petard for the Tigers, as it would seem that they are confronted with two unappealing options.
