Loyalty in rugby league can often teeter on the edge of folly.
This loyalty tempts selectors to opt for familiar names-those "safe picks" who may have shone in the past but haven't been consistently performing.
If this tendency persists, we could see Mitchell Moses donning the NSW Blues jersey for Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series, a decision that would surely be misguided.
Let's take a candid look at Moses and the Eels right now.
Currently, the Parramatta Eels sit at a disappointing 14th on the ladder after seven rounds.
Their defensive statistics are grim, with the team conceding 50 points on two separate occasions this season.
In a recent episode of The Loose Carry Podcast, rugby league coach Lee Addison analyzed the defensive strategies of the Eels, noting how opposing teams are exploiting Moses' vulnerabilities on the right edge.
Although his offensive skills are among the best in the game, the current dynamics of NRL play suggest that Moses' style may not align well with what is needed for the Origin level.
In previous years, Moses might have been a straightforward selection regardless of his form, and that was evident in the 2024 series.
However, with the coaching direction of Michael Maguire, the latest NRL champions, those past patterns are less relevant.