Parramatta Eels Forge New Path: Pezet’s Arrival and Burke’s Expertise Fuel Finals Ambitions
The Parramatta Eels are gearing up for a crucial season, with skipper Mitchell Moses expressing strong optimism about the team’s prospects. He believes the arrival of a new halves partner and the guidance of a Wallabies legend will be instrumental in the Eels’ quest to return to finals football.
A significant addition to the Eels’ ranks is playmaker Jonah Pezet. While he’s only contracted for one season before heading to the premiers Brisbane next year, Pezet is being hailed as a potential game-changer for Parramatta. His presence is seen as a key factor in the Eels’ drive to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2022. However, Pezet isn’t the only new face contributing to the Eels’ off-season preparations.
A Legend’s Touch: Matt Burke Joins as Goal-Kicking Consultant
Parramatta has also enlisted the expertise of former Wallabies fullback Matt Burke, a recent inductee into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Burke is serving as a goal-kicking consultant, having already conducted several sessions. The most recent of these took place on Wednesday, with key goal-kicking options including Mitchell Moses, Jonah Pezet, and Sean Russell benefiting from his tutelage.
Building Synergy: Moses and Pezet’s Developing Partnership
The off-season has provided a valuable opportunity for Mitchell Moses to familiarise himself with his new halves partner, Jonah Pezet. While they are yet to play a competitive game together, Moses is already sensing the positive impact Pezet will have in alleviating pressure from his own game.
“How we’re working, it’s not just one half taking control,” Moses explained. “We’re working together and we’re playing both sides of the ruck. I feel like we’re going to be threats across the whole park. It’s been a good fit for us, he’s bounced straight in.”
Moses further elaborated on Pezet’s maturity and impact. “His football career is young, he’s young in that aspect, but he’s very mature in the mind with his football,” he stated. “He’s a smart footballer and he’s played in some big games already, like the semi-finals last year and was probably one of their best players on the field. He brings that big-game experience.”
Pezet, who has made 18 NRL appearances to date and often found himself behind Melbourne’s established stars Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster, is now set to be given the first opportunity to don the number six jersey, which was vacated by Dylan Brown.
Pezet’s Impact: Confidence and Comradery
Moses has been impressed by Pezet’s demeanour and his integration into the team. “He’s very confident, he’s very loud, but it’s good,” Moses remarked. “It’s something that we needed and even if it’s just for the year, it puts us in a really good position to win games now.”
The team captain highlighted the positive team dynamic Pezet has fostered. “He’s fit right in with the boys. He loves footy, I love footy, and we both enjoy learning new things, putting most of our time and our life into footy.”
Renewed Focus on Goal-Kicking with Burke’s Guidance
With the well-publicised departure of Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses is set to assume full-time goal-kicking responsibilities. The invaluable input from Matt Burke, a member of Australia’s triumphant 1999 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, is expected to significantly bolster the Eels’ conversion rates.
Burke expressed his confidence in Moses’s kicking ability. “Mitch hits them really well,” Burke commented. “He’s got skill, he’s got rhythm, he’s got tempo. He’s a golfer, so if there’s an analogy I use with golfing swings, he gets that.”
He elaborated on the parallels between golf and rugby goal-kicking. “The golf swing is a really good example – you take the club away, be efficient and you have to be square when you hit the ball. It’s the same thing with the footy on contact. It’s small things that get you in that right spot. We’ve just done a couple of tweaks … he’s been working hard by himself to make sure those tweaks come into effect.”
Moses acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in goal kicking last season and is already seeing the benefits of Burke’s advice. “We didn’t goal kick well at all last year,” Moses admitted. “There were some big games where our goal kicking cost us, we’re gonna have to be better in that aspect. We’ve had Burkey come in and do some goal-kicking with us, it’s been good.”
