Freddy whacks manager for 'flogging off' young Eel

Brad Fittler has taken a swipe at Blaize Talagi's player manager Isaac Moses for "flogging him off" to other clubs.

The 19-year-old Eels junior has played just four games in the NRL, but announced his arrival by running over the top of Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic to score a try on his debut back in round three.

Eels coach Brad Arthur has touted him as a future heir to Clint Gutherson at fullback, and has given him starts at centre and in the halves.

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In a twist of irony, Gutherson's absence following knee surgery will give Talagi his chance at fullback against the Broncos on Friday night.

But in a move that should have Eels fans concerned, reports emerged virtually as teams were being named on Tuesday that Talagi would become a free agent, opting against triggering a one-year contract extension to stay with the club.

Speaking on Nine's Freddy and The Eighth, Fittler was critical of Moses for not showing faith in Parramatta.

"He's come up as a kid, Parramatta have given him an opportunity, and his managers are out flogging him off to other clubs," he said.

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Put to him by stand-in co-host Darryl Brohman that doing so was the manager's job, Fittler pointed out many of the top players remain at their clubs long-term.

"What happens is it becomes a flaw, because you're constantly looking for somebody who wants to pay you more. In this situation it might be a positional thing," Fittler said.

"Look at all the blokes like (Cameron) Munster, every now and then their managers come out and pop their heads up (but) all the good players generally stay at the club unless there's absolutely something wrong.

"But the best players very rarely travel too far."

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Brohman warned Talagi against chasing a fatter salary, and said some of the recently-departed Penrith guns who have done just that carry some level of regret.

"It's hard to put an old head on young shoulders, particularly those Penrith boys ... I reckon if they had their time over again they might've wanted to stay," he said.

"I reckon comps are worth more than money."

Wide World of Sports has contacted Moses for comment.