No distractions for ‘magic’ Moses; Arthur’s brutal pre-season headache: 3 Big Hits

Mitchell Moses’ mind was on the job in Gosford but an unfortunate injury has left the Eels a brutal selection dilemma.

Shaun Lane and Mitchell Moses

The Eels have recorded a dominant 36-14 victory over the Knights in Gosford to finish their pre-season campaign.

Newcastle’s new look spine delivered early, with off-season recruit Lachie Miller orchestrating a try for winger Dominic Young.

“The giant that he is, the much in demand Dominic Young scores for Newcastle,” Fox League’s Warren Smith said.

Parramatta then were handed a brutal blow, with gun backrower Shaun Lane leaving the field holding his jaw before he was taken to hospital for scans.

Shaun Lane leaves the field injured

Fox League’s Lara Pitt revealed the Eels sent Lane straight to Gosford Hospital a

“The Eels just getting ahead of the game here, they are taking Shaun Lane straight to Gosford Hospital for scans immediately on that facial injury,” Pitt said.

“That is a real shame for Shaun Lane, a real star for the Eels in their grand final charge 2022,” Fox League’s Warren Smith said.

It leaves the Eels short of second rowers with Ryan Matterson suspended to start the year, while Isaiah Papali’i is now a Tiger.

A J’maine Hopgood offload sparked the Eels’ first four-pointer moments later, with Junior Paulo finding Matt Doorey to charge over the line.

Eels fullback Clint Gutherson then orchestrated his side’s second with a smart grubber before kicking the ball through himself to score.

Moments later, winger Sean Russell scored in the right corner with the try assist coming from Gutherson as the star fullback stamped his mark on the clash.

But the Knights responded, scoring an impressive 70-metre try through strong efforts from Greg Marzhew, before Bradman Best burst through the line to record a four-pointer.

However, the Eels couldn’t be kept down in the first half with Mitchell Moses breaking the line to find Dylan Brown on the inside to score.

After halftime, young halfback Jakob Arthur put Jack Murchie through a gaping hole to score.

Sean Russell also continued his strong form with a 60-metre intercept before the young winger scored his second of the night.

Marzhew later crossed for a try of his own before Parramatta winger Isaac Lumelume burrowed his way over the tryline to close out the contest.

Mitchell Moses has a brilliant match. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Moses may have one of the biggest contract decisions of his career looming, but that doesn’t seem to have any effect on his on-field performances.

Parramatta are desperate to re-sign him and have tabled a deal worth upwards of $1 million per-season, while the Tigers have tabled a mammoth five-year deal worth $1.3 million-a-year.

The gun halfback was everywhere for the Eels and orchestrated a dominant victory, scoring eight points and having a hand in two more tries.

The 28-year-old’s running game was the highlight of his performance and an impressive try assist on the stroke of halftime stunned commentators.

“Moses, providing the magic, what speed he has… brilliant work by Mitch Moses there,” Warren Smith said.

“That is great work, that is brilliant, right on the stroke of halftime… there is his partner of crime,” Gorden Tallis said.

“That will please Brad Arthur.”

Moses finished the night with two try assists, two tackle breaks and an offload as a huge decision regarding his future looms prior to the season’s start.

Originally published as No distractions for ‘magic’ Moses; Arthur’s brutal pre-season headache: 3 Big Hits