The 2026 season for the Parramatta Eels has gotten off to a rocky start due to a slew of injuries.
Currently sitting at 16th on the NRL ladder, the team has managed only two wins against four losses, hampered by a relentless injury toll as they strive to end a 39-year premiership drought.
Key players such as Bailey Simonssen, J'maine Hopgood, and Matt Doorey are already sidelined for the remainder of the season, just six rounds in.
Additionally, the absence of stars Jonah Pezet and Isaiah Iongi, who are dealing with hamstring and syndesmosis injuries respectively, further complicates matters.
With 12 squad members currently unavailable, the Eels are valiantly striving to remain competitive despite the loss of seasoned players.
"That's the challenge that I'm facing at the moment as a skipper. I've never faced it before, even just taking away the captaincy," said Mitchell Moses.
"I've never experienced a time in a team where we've been so bashed up like this."
He continued, "It's different as that, but then put it on top that you're the captain and you've got to lead and do the right thing."
"Having young kids in, you don't want to lose your head too much and then it filters down. I'm definitely taking a lot of lessons out of how I've been in the past and trying to be better there."