PARRAMATTA legend Peter Sterling has hinted at a shock twist in the Eels’ halves situation when Corey Norman returns from injury.

Norman is on the cusp of making his return to the team and it is assumed he will slot into the halves alongside fresh recruit Mitchell Moses.

Moses only arrived at the club a few weeks back and has been partnered by Clint Gutherson while Norman recovers in the casualty ward.

But the purple form of Gutherson has thrown a spanner in the works for Eels coach Brad Arthur.

Round 20

And Sterling says some tough calls at the selection table may fall against Moses, and potentially knock him out of the starting 17.

“To be honest on what I’m seeing the last couple of weeks — and I know Mitchell Moses has only been there three weeks — Clint Gutherson, to move him is a brave move,” Sterling told On The Couch With Sterlo.

Live stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL PLAY trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!

Clint Gutherson of the Eels celebrates a win with Mitchell Moses and Bevan French. Source: News Corp Australia

“After this game against the Warriors ... Beau Scott was asked when you’re in tough situations and you’re looking for someone to get you out of it, who do you look at? He said Clint Gutherson, like we do every week.

“It’s a quandary. I know that he’s come on big money has Mitchell Moses, but to move Gutherson from five-eighth out of the halves is still a brave call in my opinion.”

Sterling said he believes the team needs Gutherson playing in the middle of the field, but is against putting him at fullback and moving Bevan French to the wing.

Catch the latest NRL news in Media Watch!

GRAHAM DENIES DOGS ‘CRISIS MEETING’

Canterbury skipper James Graham has flatly denied Bulldogs players got together for a “crisis meeting” in the wake of Sunday’s massive loss to Penrith.

The captain said it was merely a social get-together for the playing group on their day off.

“Certainly not, there was no crisis meeting,” Graham told NRL 360.

“We’re on an eight-day turnaround to the Dragons game, it was something we do regularly throughout the season anyway, win or loss.

“We had a long discussion after the game, we just felt the time was right ... the boys had a scheduled day off, no one had too many plans, let’s get together.

“It wasn’t a compulsory thing, no one was holding court or anything. It was a nice friendly get together.”

THE CLUBS CHASING MALONEY

James Maloney’s contract is a hot topic in rugby league.

It’s rumoured the Cronulla playmaker is not happy with the money he’s earning in the Shire and is entertaining offers from rival clubs.

Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper told NRL Tonight the Rabbitohs are the main contenders for the representative five-eighth’s signature.

But the Knights, Warriors, and even the Storm are toying with the idea of luring Maloney.

“At the moment he’s on a little bit unders in terms of his contract for next season, so he’s currently pushing the Sharks for an upgrade,” Hooper said.

“The issue for the premiers is they’re trying to play a little bit of hardball; they’re saying at this point in time they may not have the wiggle room to be able to give James the upgrade he is seeking.”

Hooper also revealed the Sharks had sounded out Matt Moylan over his contract situation at Penrith, but the Panthers captain is unlikely to leave.

ENNIS CALLS FOR VAL’S MAROONS SELECTION

Michael Ennis has called for former Cronulla teammate Valentine Holmes to make his Origin debut on Queensland’s wing.

Holmes was left out of the team for game one but Ennis told On The Couch With Sterlo the young backline star can reinvigorate the Maroons attack.

“It should be Billy Slater at fullback, Darius Boyd and Valentine Holmes on the wings, Dane Gagai and Will Chambers in the centres. Hands down it’s the best side they can pick,” Ennis said.

“The area where they need to get some help is through the middle third ... and there’s no one in the competition who starts their sets better than Valentine Holmes.

“He’s been doing it for 18 months, he was the best winger in the competition last year, he single handedly ripped through the Cowboys in the preliminary final last year.

“For me it’s clear to see.”

HOPPA: I WOULD HAVE SKIPPED THE GRAND FINAL

Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate says he would have sat out the 2016 NRL grand final if the Bulldogs had qualified.

Hopoate was asked the hypothetical — the Dogs were bundled out early in the finals race — on On The Couch With Sterlo.

He decided last year to not play football on Sundays to focus on his religion.

“Honestly, if I was given the opportunity and option, I probably wouldn’t have,” Hopoate said.

“It’s something I believe firmly in.”

WHY RED V IS THE ‘REAL DEAL’

St George Illawarra has surprised many rugby league pundits with their form over the first half of the season.

And while some still don’t rate the Dragons as premiership contenders, former player Dene Halatau says the Red V are “the real deal”.

“The way that they’ve played this year through the middle, they’re strong, they’ve got so much power in their forward pack,” Halatau told NRL Tonight.

“I think their middles play the best between each other as any in the competition — they pass the ball between each other, they pass the ball around well and they find those little tip-ons to make inroads through the middle.

“Then out wide Tim Lafai off them is doing a great job in that left centre spot.”