Furious Parramatta will lodge a formal complaint with the NRL over the rough-house tactics Cronulla used on gun halfback Mitchell Moses.
And The Daily Telegraph can reveal Parramatta has previously protested to the NRL about the methods applied by opponents on Moses, who weighs 85kg.
The development comes as Moses’ uncle Ben Elias lashed out at Cronulla’s unpalatable tactics, claiming the Eels star player was “targeted” with “atrocities”.
Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill will contact the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley as early as Monday seeking improved protection for the gun playmaker.
Moses blew-up on-field when he copped knees to his leg from Sharks centre Jesse Ramien after scoring a try just before halftime in Saturday’s game at Pointsbet Stadium.
The NSW and Eels general sustained a corked quad.
During the second half, Moses had his legs taken out in the air by Teig Wilton - who was charged for the offence on Sunday by the NRL match review committee - after kicking a ball in general play.
Moses was again incensed and expressed his anger at Wilton.
O’Neill said: “I would prefer not to make any comment other than I will address it with the NRL through the appropriate channels.”
Another well-placed Eels source said: “This isn’t the first time this has happened to Mitchell.”
The Eels are filthy and privately claim Wilton – charged with grade two dangerous contact – should have been sin binned.
Other than O’Neill’s brief statement, Parramatta management didn’t want to comment publicly for fear any criticism may be misconstrued as whinging after a last second loss.
Elias ripped in when asked about the two hits on his nephew.
“Those atrocities aren’t in the laws of rugby league,” said Elias. “It’s Mitch’s wellbeing you worry about. Respect must be shown that players like Mitch will be targeted but don’t cross the line, and it’s a fine line.
“It’s obvious he’s getting all this extra attention, like the great players do. Mitchell isn’t a whinger, he’s far from a whinger, but you have to abide by the rules and protect those star players.
“Look, he’s a targeted man now. The opposition now knows how important he is and when you’re a marked man you get all that attention. It’s as simple as that. You’ve got to try and rattle him as much as you possibly can.
“You’ve got to be in his face every time he kicks the ball. That’s fine but you can’t be going that extra yard where you cross the line of what’s right and wrong.
“That’s why the rules are there – to protect those star players. Mitchell wouldn’t say anything. If you were to ask him he would say that should be left on the football field. But if you cross the line, yet get penalised. That’s what happens in life.
“Mitchell is marked now along with the players like (Kalyn) Ponga and (Adam) Reynolds, they’re the strike players and superstars. I’m glad the NRL acted on it (the Wilton