Matty Johns, the former rugby league star and analyst, has pointed out that Mitchell Moses needs to elevate his performance for the Parramatta Eels to succeed as they navigate the 2026 NRL season.
Moses, the Eels' halfback, is recognized as one of the game's key players. Last year, he participated in the State of Origin but faced considerable time on the sidelines.
The disparity in Parramatta's performance with Moses compared to when he was absent during 2025 was alarmingly evident to coach Jason Ryles and his team.
His fitness was anticipated to be crucial for the Eels' success in 2026. However, the season has not unfolded as hoped, featuring significant losses against the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers, along with hard-fought wins over the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Eels are set to face the Wests Tigers on Monday afternoon, with a strong desire for victory.
Despite scoring a total of 70 points in their wins, Johns remarked on SEN Radio that Moses appears to be holding back.
"Not that he's playing poorly, but I think it's a really big month coming up for Parramatta (and) I think Mitch Moses," he said during SEN's Morning Glory with Matty Johns.
"Parramatta need a really big month for football (and) at the moment, I reckon he's playing probably slightly within himself.
"A lot of that's got to do with the forwards as well."