Key Player for Parramatta Eels’ Turnaround
Former rugby league star and analyst Matty Johns has highlighted that the player who needs to step up for the Parramatta Eels is Mitchell Moses. With a mixed start to the 2026 NRL season, the Eels are looking for a significant improvement from their halfback.
Moses, known as one of the most influential players in the game, played in the State of Origin last year but was often sidelined due to injuries. His presence on the field has been crucial for the team’s performance, and the contrast between his results when he’s fit and when he’s not has been stark.
In 2025, the Eels had a clear difference in their performance with and without Moses, which has concerned coach Jason Ryles and his staff. Despite expectations that Moses would be key to the 2026 season, the results have not yet materialized. The team has suffered heavy losses against strong opponents like the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers, while their wins over the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons have been less impressive.
The Eels are set to face the Wests Tigers on Monday afternoon, and a win is essential for them to regain momentum. Although they managed to score 70 points in their victories, Johns believes that Moses is not playing to his full potential.
“Not that he’s playing poorly, but I think it’s a really big month coming up for Parramatta (and) I think Mitch Moses,” Johns said on SEN Radio’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns. “Parramatta need a really big month for football (and) at the moment, I reckon he’s playing probably slightly within himself.”
While some of this can be attributed to the performance of the forwards, Johns emphasized that this is a critical period for Moses. He remains a popular choice for the State of Origin team, likely to play as five-eighth alongside Nathan Cleary. However, his position is uncertain if the Eels cannot turn their season around.
Performance Metrics and Challenges
At 31 years old, Moses was instrumental in the 2024 series victory under Michael Maguire. However, his current performance has raised concerns. In four games so far, he has only recorded two try assists and three line break assists. He has yet to force a drop out and is averaging just 51 metres per game, the lowest since 2018.
This is a small data set, but it shows a decline compared to last year, when he averaged 75 metres per game and also had significantly better kicking stats. In 13 games last year, he had eight try assists, which highlights the gap in his current form.
The Eels will face the Wests Tigers on Monday afternoon in the traditional Easter Monday blockbuster. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4pm (AEDT), and the team will be hoping for a strong performance to boost their confidence and improve their standing in the league.
