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Moses overcomes nerves and big hits to break prelim hoodoo
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Mitchell Moses claims he’s never felt nervous before a game but for the first time in his NRL career on Friday night the nerves kicked in ahead of Parramatta’s thumping 40-4 win over the Raiders.
The Eels five-eighth couldn’t put an exact finger on why he felt the way he did pre-game but ruled out last week’s head knock against the Panthers as a reason for possibly feeling anxious.
Moses put in a dominant performance to help the Eels to their first preliminary finals appearance since 2009 and move one step closer to breaking the club’s 36-year premiership drought.
“I was saying to the boys I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous for a game,” Moses said after the win.
“I’m never a nervous person so it was a bit weird so I tried to stay as relaxed as possible. I must’ve been all right to be nervous so hopefully I can be nervous [again] next weekend.”
Moses's return from a head knock suffered when he collected the hip of Viliame Kikau last week wasn't without its drama with the Eels playmaker sent for another HIA against the Raiders after heavy contact from Jack Wighton in the second half.
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Match Highlights: Eels v Raiders
Wighton was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Match Review Committee on Saturday after originally being placed on report for dangerous contact.
"I’m fine, I had to regather my breath. If you get hit by Jackie you know about it. He got me twice there and it knocked the wind out of me," Moses said.
"There was nothing wrong with me."
Moses and the Eels have ticked off one hoodoo they've struggled with in the past five years - getting past week two of the finals - but know next week's job against the Cowboys in Townsville will go up another level.
"It’s not relief [to get through] but it’s pretty much over now really," Moses said.
"It was a good win and we’ll enjoy it but we’re moving onto North Queensland.
"That’s over now, North Queensland are a great side and playing them up there behind their home crowd will be a big test for us but something we’re excited for.
"They’re going to come out fired up and fresh after a week off. They’re going to play for 80 minutes, they showed that against the Sharks. We’re going to have to be at our best up there."
