Mitchell Moses' blunt conversation with Eels legend Peter Sterling
Eels halfback Mitchell Moses admitted he was "overconfident" and "had to pull his head in" during a blunt pre-season conversation with Parramatta icon Peter Sterling.
Sterling revealed the exchange to Wide World of Sports, with Moses currently leading the Eels on a three-game winning streak.
Re-signed with Parramatta for the next three seasons for a reported $2.5 million, Moses is showing signs of becoming a genuinely elite playmaker. The Eels No.7 leads the NRL for try assists this season (26) and his team will return to the finals after being wooden-spooners last year.
"It's a tribute to Brad Arthur and the work of the players, to have a conversation at the end of last year and to look each other in the eye, and say, 'Where did we go wrong?' and be very honest about that," Sterling said on Sterlo's Round Wrap.
"I had a meeting with Dylan Brown and Mitch Moses at the beginning of the season, and that gave me a lot of confidence. Mitch Moses basically said that he had to pull his head in to some degree. I won't say lairise, but he was overconfident and that had to be reined back in.
"We've seen that in his game management over the last six to eight weeks. His game has come on in leaps and bounds in that very important department."
Sterling said one Moses play from Parramatta's 20-14 win over Newcastle on Saturday highlighted how well-tuned his attacking game had become. Moses spotted Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga in the defensive line midway through the first half and kicked early, laying on an easy try for Clint Gutherson.
Sterling said that the big challenge for Parramatta was to lift their form away from home. They are just 4-6 on the road, against 8-2 at home.
The Eels still have trips to the Gold Coast and Brisbane remaining, though they are a strong chance of getting a week one home final; currently sixth, four points clear of Penrith.
"Physically the side are a lot better, there's a lot of effort there and they've played some good football; generally at Bankwest Stadium and they need to be able to take that kind of form to other grounds."
Replies
Sterlo the bald Uncle"well back in my day...."
It's a good sign that the club are inviting these past Eels greats to speak with the players. Not so long ago this would not have happened. Not necessarily to tell them how to play the game, but to get their head in the right mindset. Coming from past greats will certainly make the players take notice, and hopefully instill a Parramatta Eels culture.
Get Price back to have a firm chat with any slackers
I liked that moment in the Eels v Dragons game with 15 seconds to go when Moses tackled a Dragons player and wouldn't get up, deliberately giving a penalty away. You might say it was not in the spirit of the game, but it took 10 seconds off the clock. Parra had the game won anyway, unless Dragons could score an 8 point converted try.