BY DAN

Trey Mooney is good enough to be playing first grade footy every week. Not fighting for a spot on the end of the bench, a proper every week role. Unfortunately he plays for a club with arguably seven or eight players for five or six spots. And he is being asked to trust that more opportunities are coming. It’s a tough ask.

It was interesting to learn the Raiders had offered Mooney a deal out to 2027. That is generally the kind of deal you offer to commodities you’re very sure on. But if he thinks he’s ready, and the front office thinks he’s worth a spot as a foundation piece in the middle, then Coach Stuart isn’t as sure. At least not sure he’s ready for that *now*. He’s played seven games of first grade over three years. In last weekend’s debacle it was 33. He looked physically dominant with limited opportunities. When Stick wasn’t playing him, he was talking about ‘seniority’, which is weird for a team starting two teenagers and an Englishmen in his 2nd month of NRL footy. But that’s the problem when you have so many big men.

For now Mooney has reportedly made no decision on the Raiders offer. The issue seems clear: money and years isn’t the defining issue for Trey. What is important to him is minutes and opportunity. He will definitely get that elsewhere. He’s been tied to half the teams in the competition. Everyone needs a middle. Except the Raiders. The challenge there is two people need convincing: Stuart that Mooney is the best option now, and Mooney that the cadence and consistency of his opportunities is the best for his career.

That’s what makes this next few weeks so important. With Horsburgh, Hosking and Whitehead injured he now has a clear path and role in first grade. Third forward off the bench role, 30 minutes of ball-tearing terror. It’s stylistically suited to Mooney. If he can establish himself in the 17 and maintain that spot when Horsburgh returns it could be the leg up he needs to convince him to stay.

That’s the hope of a green heart speaking. In the cold depths of my stomach it’s felt less and less likely that the club will keep him. Like Schiller, the inconsistency of opportunities, the inability to guarantee more and more certain pathways elsewhere are significant factors. The club’s language has felt more and more desperate. Offers made, refrains of the ball in his court, we want him we need him we gotta have him. Mooney has either made a decision to go elsewhere or is very much keeping his powder dry. Either way you are right to be concerned.

There’s no good way to take the absence of a decision. The best read I have is that Mooney is waiting to see what the club will do, and that more time on the field will allow him to prove he should be there every week. That could lead to a more permanent position, a clear pathway and a long-term commitment. The worst case is the club’s desperate words are reflective that a decision to leave is already made and they just want the fanbase to be clear they made every effort (outside of one critical one that may be too-little-too-late).

In the end the Raiders’ pitch is ‘stick around there’s good things for you here.’ And when you’ve not signed a big deal, when you’ve not had the chances to prove yourself on the biggest stage, I can understand a search for a more certain situation. That’s why Schiller left. Young players don’t often get repeat chances at establishing themselves. Canberra have had the chance the offer that opportunity and waited. It may be the right decision for Mooney’s development. I’m sure Stuart thinks so. It may also cost them his signature.

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