Mitchell Moses insists time isn’t against Parramatta’s current crop of senior players as they bid to end the NRL’s longest-running premiership drought.
After making the 2022 grand final and then missing out on the finals, Moses is keen to underline the Eels have a point to prove in 2024.
The halfback was open in his declaration of wanting to win a premiership but dismissed the notion it was now or never for him and other key members of Brad Arthur’s squad.
Moses, along with captain Clint Gutherson and the backrow trio of Ryan Matterson, Shaun Lane and Bryce Cartwright, will all celebrate their 30th birthdays over the next 12 months.
Front-rowers Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo will turn 31 later this year, too, but Moses is confident that doesn’t hasten the need for them to end a 38-year wait for a title.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
“I think we had the squad to do it last year,” Moses said. “We just had a few injuries and disciplinary reasons which we’re going to have to fix up.
“We were still in a position to play finals but we have to take ownership when players are out.
“I don’t feel like (time is ticking), my body feels fine, I feel like I could play for a while and I’ve still got another four or five years here. It’s a work in progress at the moment and we’ve got to wait for the season to start and start well.”
A seven-game suspension for Moses’ halves partner Dylan Brown following a drunken incident in a Sydney nightclub was highlighted as one of the many flashpoints which led to Parramatta’s season falling apart.
Brown played a starring role in New Zealand’s end-of-season Test win over Australia and Moses is keen to see the 23-year-old continue that form.
“I thought he was outstanding and probably the best player on the field,” Moses said.
“He’s taken that into the pre-season and comes with a lot of energy.
“I don’t think he’s got a point to prove because he’s always a good trainer.
“With what happened last year he wants to be better in that aspect.
“He’s still a kid and people forget he’s learning from that, but hopefully he is in for a big year.”
Panthers
Roar Rookie
To be fair, there aren’t enough other great backs now at Penrith to increase Parramatta’s depth. :laughing: :thumbup:
Albo
Roar Rookie
The Eels have been a real enigma in the NRL in recent seasons. They made the GF in 2022 and then missed the 8 in 2023 ? They have a wealth of talented and experienced players but is seems consistency is always an issue. Maybe their depth is a problem and gets highlighted whenever the injury toll mounts ? They seem to have had a long term issue with the quality of outside backs. But they have a strong looking pack with an amount of flair provided by Cartwright & Hopgood ( both had great years in 2023). They have good halves and fullback who dominate their play. I think Moses has the best kicking game in the NRL and he is the quickest running halfback. Brown is a star if he can just stay out of trouble, and Gutho is a heavily involved fullback. It is not too late for the Eels to be a contender in 2024, but they need a good run with injuries and to find some consistency in performance.