Casualty ward: Parramatta Eels hopeful Mitchell Moses will return from facial surgery this season

Mitchell Moses’ fractured cheekbone may not be the hammer blow to his NRL season that the Eels once feared, as the Eels try to keep themselves in the finals hunt.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 11: Mitchell Moses of the Eels is seen looking dejected after sustaining an injury during the round 24 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels at The Gabba on August 11, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Parramatta have been given added motivation to finish the season on a high after coach Brad Arthur revealed halfback Mitchell Moses was an outside chance to make a stunning return in the NRL finals.

Moses suffered a fractured cheekbone and eye socket in the Eels’ loss to Brisbane on Friday night, remarkably playing more than 30 minutes in the opening half with shattered bones in his face.

He now faces surgery but hasn’t given up hope of returning this season after doctors indicated he could return in as little as four weeks.

Mitchell Moses had to be dragged from the field against the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

For that to happen, Moses will be forced to rely on his teammates as the Eels look to mount a late-season campaign to crack the top eight.

It won’t be easy, particularly with Moses on the sideline. Daejarn Asi will be handed the No. 7 jersey and need to lead the Eels to victory over the Sydney Roosters and premiers Penrith for the club to have any hopes of playing finals football.

Should they manage to pull off a miracle, Arthur hasn’t given up hope of having his star half back provided he gets the green light from medical staff to return. Don’t bet against Moses.

The Eels playmaker has shown he is one of the toughest players in the game in recent seasons – two years ago he played a State of Origin game with cracked bones in his back.

He reaffirmed his toughness on Friday night when he basically had to be dragged off the field by Arthur and medical staff.

Originally published as Casualty ward: Parramatta Eels hopeful Mitchell Moses will return from facial surgery this season