Eels’ Playmaking Power-Up: Moses Eyes Finals Resurgence with New Halfback and Wallaby Legend’s Touch
Parramatta Eels captain Mitchell Moses is optimistic about the club’s chances of returning to the NRL finals in the upcoming season, citing the arrival of a new halves partner and the expert guidance of a Wallabies icon as key factors. The team is looking to build momentum after a period of absence from the post-season action, with the aim of reaching the play-offs for the first time since 2022.
The spotlight is firmly on new recruit Jonah Pezet, a playmaker from Melbourne, who has joined the Eels for a single season before a planned move to premiers Brisbane next year. Pezet is being heralded as a potential game-changer for the blue and gold, and his presence is generating considerable excitement among the fanbase. However, he isn’t the only new addition to the Eels’ training sessions.
A Legendary Touch on the Goal Posts
Parramatta has also enlisted the expertise of former Wallabies fullback Matt Burke, a recent inductee into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, to serve as a goal-kicking consultant. Burke, a member of Australia’s triumphant 1999 Rugby World Cup squad, has already conducted a number of sessions with the club. His most recent involvement was on Wednesday, where he worked with several players on their kicking technique, including Moses, Pezet, and Sean Russell.
Burke has been impressed with Moses’s dedication and natural 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 connection between the two sports, explaining, “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.” Burke believes that small adjustments are crucial for success, stating, “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 himself acknowledges the team’s struggles with goal kicking in the previous season and is already feeling the positive impact of Burke’s tutelage. “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.”
A New Dynamic in the Halves
The off-season has also provided an invaluable opportunity for Moses to forge a connection with his new halves partner, Pezet. While they are yet to officially play a game together, Moses already feels that Pezet’s arrival will significantly alleviate the pressure on his own shoulders.
“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 highlighted Pezet’s maturity and experience despite his relative youth in the professional game. “His football career is young, he’s young in that aspect, but he’s very mature in the mind with his football,” Moses observed. “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, has often found himself behind established stars Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster at the Melbourne Storm. However, at the Eels, he is set to be given the first opportunity to step into the crucial No. 6 jersey, which was vacated by Dylan Brown.
Building Confidence and Chemistry
Moses described Pezet as a confident and vocal presence within the team, qualities he believes are essential for the Eels’ success. “He’s very confident, he’s very loud, but it’s good,” Moses said. “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 integration of Pezet into the squad has been seamless. “He’s fit right in with the boys,” Moses continued. “He loves footy, I love footy, and we both enjoy learning new things, putting most of our time and our life into footy.” This shared passion and dedication are expected to foster a strong on-field partnership.
The widely reported departure of Zac Lomax from the club will see Mitchell Moses assume goal-kicking duties on a full-time basis. This added responsibility, coupled with the strategic insights from Matt Burke, is expected to bolster the Eels’ scoring power. Moses’s focus on this area, acknowledging the costly missed opportunities from the previous season, signifies a clear intent to convert more tries into points and secure crucial victories. The combined efforts of a new playmaker, a seasoned goal-kicking guru, and a determined captain are setting the stage for a promising campaign for the Parramatta Eels.
