Brutal Mitchell Moses detail called out amid worrying NRL development at Parramatta Eels

It may be the biggest challenge facing Parramatta's in-coming coach: How to convince superstar halfback Mitchell Moses the Eels have a future as a premiership force. Moses' frustration at Parra's slide into NRL wooden spoon territory has been there for all to see over the past few weeks.

He unloaded on teammates during the round 17 loss to Newcastle, backing it up with a dressing-room tirade aimed at club powerbrokers. On Thursday night he again wore his heart on his sleeve as the Eels fell to South Sydney – making it five losses in six games since Brad Arthur's sacking in May.

Moses was sin-binned in the last five minutes for a holding down offence which was upgraded to a professional foul. He stood there arguing with referee Liam Kennedy before teammate Joe Ofahengaue ushered his halfback away.

Interim coach Trent Barrett told reporters after the game: "He’s frustrated at the moment. He’s probably frustrated with our performance. The game was probably done and dusted at that stage, but it probably boiled over there for him at the end."

Moses was an Arthur loyalist and is unhappy with the decision to get rid of the 11-year coach and the long wait to appoint his successor. Josh Hannay is tipped to be named the Eels new coach in coming days, although Jason Ryles remains in the mix.

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One of the new coach's first moves will be to placate Moses and convince him finals footy is a genuine prospect in 2025 after two years of failure. Adding to the challenge, Moses is coming off a career-best performance for NSW in Origin II and is thriving in that arena.

Mitch Moses concerns raised amid Eels form slump

Speaking on Radio SEN on Friday, former Brisbane player Denan Kemp said: "(You've got) a club that's struggling (and) a top tier player in Mitchell Moses. "If they (NSW) go on to win the decider in Queensland and Moses continues to be frustrated (at Parramatta) – we know how competitive he is - will it become a major issue?

"Maybe, maybe not. But I do think it's something they're going to have to contend with. He may have some pretty pointed questions for the club.

"He may say 'a few years ago (2022) we were in a grand final, now we're at the bottom of the table and I've just led NSW to an Origin win. I'm a cream of the crop player and I feel I deserve a better environment'."

Matty Johns agreed, adding: "It can be problematic for a club. A player going away – particularly from a struggling club – and coming back a man-of-the-series-type player... it's happened in the past.