More than other NRL clubs, Parramatta players and coaching staff will sit in a small circle after a match and chat over a beer.
There’s never a rush for the phones or the exit door, just a quiet time to reflect on what happened on the field and prepare for the next week. For Brad Arthur, it’s a bit of respect for your teammates and the game itself.
In his weekly column for the Herald, Parramatta’s halves coach Andrew Johns spoke about Mitchell Moses earning respect from his teammates for competing on every play - and what they will give back to him return.
Watching Moses with a well-earned amber ale at his side, it is hard to imagine his fellow players respecting him more than at any other stage since he joined the club.
It might be a combination of the eighth Immortal’s large influence, a pre-season forum with Warren Ryan, maybe a natural maturity at this stage of his career or simply the help of teammates around him, but there is a different air about Moses this year.
Johns spoke about the 26-year-old being calmer in his demeanour, supported by the Eels’ comeback win over the Broncos in round one, and then a superb victory against the Storm in atrocious conditions on Thursday night.
The Moses most fans thought they knew wouldn’t have helped his side win the game in the manner they did.
Asked about Moses after the game, Eels prop Junior Paulo described the No.7 as “mature”. For all the superlatives and not-so-nice adjectives used to describe Moses during his enigmatic career to date, mature has never been near the top of the list.
But it was hard to argue with Paulo on Thursday night’s evidence.
On a night made for Cameron Smith, the closest thing at Bankwest Stadium to the NRL’s modern day iceman was wearing blue and gold.
When he needed to kick early and long with his forwards blowing, Moses did. When he needed to play straight and direct, Moses did. And when the Eels had been rocked by a late Justin Olam try which had the game on course for golden point, Moses went back to the vulnerable George Jennings with an inch-perfect kick to allow Maika Sivo to score the match winner.
When they show the highlights package of the match, Moses will barely feature. Smith carved out the best rugby league career in history, at least statistically, and there were few “I remember that moment” plays.
This was Moses’ statement game without a statement moment, which is exactly what he needs right now.
Away from the field, Moses is one of a number of high-profile Eels yet to have their future officially sorted for 2021. He has an option in his favour to stay at Parramatta next year. The Eels have offered him another one on top of that.
Perhaps the most impressive thing is that while Moses might be the most important signature the Eels need, it’s the one you’ve heard least about in recent weeks. The futures of Nathan Brown, Sivo and now Ryan Matterson have all been dragged through the media. Moses’ has barely rated a blip.
He is unlikely to leave the Eels and, perhaps at more than any stage since his Tigers defection, Paramatta realise the importance of Moses to them.
On Friday morning, there were a few more blue-and-gold hats and other pieces of merchandise on the streets in Sydney’s west. With that will come the expectation the 35-year drought is ready to be broken, especially after toppling the premiers in a game few gave them a chance to win.
The Eels have been here before. This time their halfback appears ready to handle it.
Replies
For mine, last night was the best performance I have seen from Moses in a Parra jersey, especially when you take the opposition into account.
It was an outstanding number 7's performance. His kicking, kick selection, goal kicking and play selection was of the highest level.
As Snake likes to say, one swallow doesn't make a summer, but it looks like he may have found his mojo. I know we'll all be rooting for him over the coming weeks and months :)
There is no way that Snake knows Shakespeare!
but you do, hey poppa.
Nothing wrong with the classics Graham..... I still prefer Mel Brooks just the same.
I am not withstanding very disappointed that Merchant of Venice didn't win the last at Mornington yesterday
and dreggsie wants to swap him for someone, but doesnt know who :-)
He's carrying on like a little kid with the I told you so attitude, he's the same person that aspires to have failure in his life.
One match doesn't make a player just the same as one innings didn't make a cricketer.
Moses has played well so far but he shouldn't be judged yet, he should be judged at the end of the season when the real heat is turned up.
Thanks,
Scott
In the interim Dreggies don't be afraid to support him and your team.....you can't help to be as an observer that you would prefer to see him fail..... that's really sad, my guess is you didn't win many things of a sporting nature.
You and the Rappa can get comfort with each other, but really do you expect any one to respect you, even if you get it right!
His kicking game reduced the effectiveness of their no 1 attacking weapon PAPY. He loves clear air and running onto the ball and creating space. MOSES kicks made him look like a fast 80kg fullback not a 80kg superstar he is.
If he didn't fucked his hamstring lat year, this was the style he was playing. I saw the influence of Johns last night and looked like he really tuned in to what Johns and Ryan had to say, even Sterlo I would say would've had a few whispers in his ears. Yeah, if he doesn't hurt himself like he did last year and everyone bagged him out as he played "crap," I reckon he'll repeat his '19 performace and win that Dally M Half of the year medal. Won't be in the SOO, they'll stick with Cleary. Dylan Brown will represent NZ this year I bet and Gutho, Nathan Brown, and Paulo will retain their NSW spots while Mahoney will the 18th man for QLDS...my precidictions
Great performance against a top side in difficult conditions. Was put under pressure and stood up. This is something a lot of people thought he was not capable of.
He's proven he can do it, now the big test is to do it consistently.
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