NRL 2020 Panthers vs Eels: Origin showdown for Nathan Cleary, Mitch Moses
Blues star Nathan Cleary may have a fight on his hands for the NSW halfback spot as he returns from suspension to take on Mitchell Moses and the undefeated Parramatta Eels.
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An Origin challenge has been thrown out to returning Penrith star Nathan Cleary in the form of in-form Parramatta playmaker Mitch Moses.
Throw in incumbent Blues halfback Mitchell Pearce and Cleary has a fight on his hands to win back his NSW No.7 jersey.
Blues coach Brad Fittler stoked more interest in tomorrow night’s Western Sydney derby between unbeaten teams Penrith and Parramatta when he described Moses’ form as “awesome”.
And he wants the individual battle between Moses and Cleary to be a heavy discussion point.
“It puts pressure on everyone and it’s then a matter of who rises to the pressure,’’ Fittler said.
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“The more written about the contest, the better.”
His Blues adviser Greg Alexander also can’t wait to see Cleary and Moses do battle.
“What a match-up?” Panthers great Alexander said. “You like talking about individual match-ups that mean a lot. It will be a beauty.”
Moses, 25, has taken his game to a new level and been an integral part of Parramatta’s four successive wins to start the season.
“Mitch is becoming a premier halfback where his performances are guiding his side’s results,” Fittler said.
“That is exactly what we’re looking for, blokes who are a standout week in, week out, putting their team first.
“His performances are now persuading results. That’s the biggest thing for a halfback.
“It’s no good playing well if your team isn’t winning. He is now applying enough pressure where they are starting to win.
“For Mitch to be able to turn his game around to the point where it is turning into wins off good performances, it’s just awesome.
“I’ve coached Mitchell with that experience in the 2017 World Cup with Lebanon. I know what he’s about.
“From the point of a view of a halfback at the moment, we’ve got Mitch, Nathan is coming back and Mitchell Pearce as well.
“The two that have been playing (Moses and Pearce) have been outstanding.
“It’s a great argument. I thought Mitchell Pearce was outstanding on the weekend. The depth is so good.”
Cleary received a two-match suspension after being caught flouting social-distancing rules and later lying to the NRL integrity unit about it.
“I think everyone was disappointed, including Nathan,’’ Fittler said. “He has served his penalty and now gets his chance to turn it around and show his teammates how disappointed he was in his own actions.
“He knows that more than anyone else. The amount of good Nathan has done up until now — at his age — compared to the negatives, he is so far ahead.
“I just look forward to seeing how he aims up this week.”
Alexander believes it will be a dogfight between the three halfbacks to claim the coveted Blues No.7 jumper but praised Moses.
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“There has always been that talent, that natural ability with Mitch Moses,’ Alexander said.
“He is a great runner of the footy and has improved those little parts of his game that he needed to to be recognised as a representative player.
“Nathan’s form was great over the opening two rounds and Moses is in form after having a great season last year.
“I don’t know whether it’s a case of one being level or in front of the other.
“Mitchell Pearce is the incumbent and Nathan has performed well in the five Origin games he has played.
“Moses’ kicking game has gone to another level. His short kicking game was the best in the competition last year and he has started that way again this year.
“The decision-making is another area where his game has improved drastically over the past 18 months.”
Fittler recalled last year’s battle between the Eels and Panthers at Bankwest last year.
“Nathan ended up getting man of the match so it’s interesting how these two teams come together at this time with Nathan coming back,’’ Fittler said. “I love that synergy.”