July 17, 2017 6:18pm
PARRAMATTA’S Mitchell Moses is ready to play his best game yet for the Eels when he faces the Wests Tigers for the first time since his controversial exit from the club.
Sunday’s grudge match at ANZ Stadium will feature Moses going head to head with several of his closest friends, including housemates Luke Brooks and James Tedesco.
The reception from Tigers fans is expected to be nothing short of brutal as Moses tries to help the Eels move a step closer to locking down an early NRL finals berth.
Moses had hoped to remain at the Tigers, but demanded a release when officials made it clear they wanted to focus on retaining Tedesco and skipper Aaron Woods, who eventually signed with the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury respectively for next season.
Moses’s Parramatta teammates are backing him to deliver against his old club. Photo: Mark EvansTigers No. 7 Brooks told The Daily Telegraph it would be the first time he had played against his good mate since Balmain and Parramatta met in a Harold Matthews game in 2010.
“He was playing with Parra that day, they won, but hopefully we get the win this time. It will be good to get some bragging rights over him,’’ Brooks said.
Moses looked relaxed on Monday but was gagged by Parramatta officials, who preferred his new teammates talk about their halfback having the last laugh.
“I think it will probably be his best game so far,’’ halves partner Corey Norman said.
“He’s looking forward to it, and there’s no doubt he’ll step up. He doesn’t need to change too much it’s just another game, and he’ll get out there and play well.
“The kicking game from him has been good, he’s taken a bit of heat off me calling plays, and I think he’s been really stepping it up down the short sides and creating numbers.
‘’We’re still figuring out where we sit in our structures, but Brad (Arthur) has given us a licence to play footy, we just need to know the game plan inside out, we’ll both call what we see, and we’ll play off the back of that.’’
Moses has a laugh during an Eels session. Photo: Phil HillyardEels skipper Tim Mannah said of Moses: “Obviously there’s a bit more in it for him, and he has a point to prove.
“He’s been great for us, and he’s growing and getting better every week.
“He likes a bit of pressure and a bit of an occasion, and he’s one of those guys who will keep lifting for that.’’
There is a sense seventh-placed Parramatta can do something special this season, and Norman declared they could end more than three decades of misery and go all the way.
Moses playing for Parra juniors back in 2010.“Absolutely, especially where we’re sitting (on the ladder), it would be crazy if you’re not thinking about that,’’ Norman said.
“There’s a long way to go, but you definitely need that confidence in the team leading into the finals, and you need to put good performances together as well.’’
One of the last games Moses played in Tigers colours, disgruntled fans booed him and foolishly pegged a full can of beer after the match.
Moses and Brooks, who share a house with Tedesco in the inner-west, will line up on the same side of the field.
Replies
well don't read it Poppa
LOLLLL Have a look at moses in the pic in the article lining up the kick, he looks like a Ethiopian with a bad case of bulimia FFS, Kid needs to start eating, maybe he has bulimia but nobody knows.
that pic is from 2010
2 Gorrillas,
Poppa, you shouldn't reading this
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