NRL 2020: Eels great unite to launch stirring and powerful defence of Mitchell Moses

‘Ease off’. That’s the collective cry from Parramatta’s golden era as modern-day halfback Mitchell Moses copes the brunt of criticism for his side’s dodgy form entering the NRL finals.

Parramatta's 1986 premiership team have come to the defence of halfback Mitchell Moses.

Parramatta legends from the golden 1980s have united to launch a powerful defence of vilified Eels halfback Mitch Moses just a week out from the NRL finals.

Mick Cronin, Brett Kenny, Peter Wynn and Eric Grothe have joined together — as they when they won four premierships during the 1980s — to tell critics of Moses to lay-off.

A polarising figure, Moses has again come under fire for his performances towards the end of the season despite having led Parramatta into the top four with just round one remaining.

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There’s a mountain of pressure on Mitchell Moses to deliver the Parramatta Eels their first premiership since Peter Sterling in 1986. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

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And the scrutiny on Moses will intensify this Saturday night with Parramatta having to beat his former club the Wests Tigers to nail down a top-four finish. The game will also pit Moses against the great Benji Marshall, playing his final game for Wests Tigers.

Moses will feel added pressure until injured five-eighth Dylan Brown returns, hopefully in round two of the finals.

“There are some players they (fans and critics) expect to be superstars every week – and Moses seems to be one of those. It’s not that easy to perform at that level every game,” Cronin said.

“If he’s not playing outstanding, he is one of those players they like to bag. They just don’t seem to forgive him for one bad game. Others players have bad games but get away with it. But if Moses has a bad game, or a flat period, they target him.

Peter Sterling taking on Manly in the 1982 grand final.

“He’s an easy target for the fans. They don’t allow him to have an average game. They seem to give it to him.

“Other blokes seem to ride out criticism but as soon as he (Moses) has an off game, they all seem to target him. You have to allow players some flat spots. Moses had a (knee) injury too, something everyone seems to have forgotten.”

Kenny, one of rugby league’s all-time greats, also told critics to drop off Moses.

“If it doesn’t happen on the field for Parramatta, Moses is the one that gets the blame,” Kenny said. “The halfback is the player everyone seems to notice and Moses gets singled out because he’s the halfback.

Mick Cronin and Ray Price hold aloft the JJ Giltinan Shield after the 1986 grand final as Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny and Eric Grothe look on. Picture: Peter Kurnik

“He can’t do everything. The other guys have got to start to take a lot of responsibility as well. It’s not just the halfback – he’s not the only one in the team. It’s a tough position to be in but if you’re wearing the number seven jumper you have to cop some. He knows he is the one going to get bagged but he has to live with it.”

Hall of Fame winger Grothe added: “I think Moses is a great player. You’re only as good as the team around you. The criticism is unfair – the other 12 players are doing something too.

“I ignore the criticism (of Moses). It’s very easy to sit on the sidelines and critique and say to someone in a pub that a player is s..t or doesn’t go all that good under pressure. It’s easier said than done and he’s been busting his gut all year.”

Moses has to guide the Eels without Dylan Brown. Picture: Brett Costello

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And champion former Eels forward Peter Wynn said: “He is going to be scrutinised and the criticism is unfair, 100 per cent. He is probably prone to criticism given he has such an important role in the club. People look for any opportunity to attack him.

“He has to absorb it and turn the negativity into a positive. Criticism comes to all the good players.

“Mitchell has all the pressure of steering Parramatta around the field. He is the bloke the opposition would be targeting. But I think he is resilient and will only get better and better as the games progress into the finals.

“Everyone is sitting back watching what the Eels are doing and he is in a hot position. He has so much responsibility.”