In-form Parramatta playmaker Mitchell Moses says he learned some hard lessons from his last NRL contract negotiation and is keen to avoid the media circus which resulted in his ugly Wests Tigers exit.
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Moses came back to haunt his former side on Monday, playing a leading hand in the Eels' nine-tries-to-one 51-6 rout at Bankwest Stadium.
Two years ago Moses endured a public falling out with the Tigers as a result of the joint venture pulling a three-year offer from the table, prompting him to make a mid-season exit to the Eels.
The 24-year-old is off contract at season's end and the Eels have reportedly offered him a three-year extension - after telling him during the pre-season they were willing to grant him a release.
Moses insisted he had put talks in the hands of his management and was candid about his desire to stay out of the limelight.
"Last time was a bit of a shambles," Moses said.
"I've just learned to block it all out, just play footy. And if I'm playing good footy, everything sorts itself out. I've left it up to my management."
With his future up in the air, Moses has made a flying start to the year and played a big part in the Eels winning four of their opening six games.
"We were 0-6 at this point last year so I definitely owed them a bit," Moses said.
His game management and pinpoint kicking were on show against the Tigers.
Despite completing 83 per cent of their sets, the Tigers were strangled out of the game, in large part due to their poor kicking while Moses booted his side around the park with skill, accuracy and composure.
While undoubtedly a gifted natural footballer, Moses has previously been heavily criticised for his lack of football nous.
He said ex-halves partner Corey Norman's exit to St George Illawarra during the off-season forced him to take greater control.
"I've had to work on it pretty hard in the pre-season, losing Normie, I had to take a bit of ownership," Moses said.
"I wasn't happy with my kicking game last year, it was a big thing I wanted to fix.
"Also my game management. Being the halfback of your team, that's your job, and the boys are getting me in good positions, they're getting me good play-the-balls to play off the back of. They're helping me out a lot."
Australian Associated Press
