Mitchell Moses has played over 200 NRL games, has experienced a grand final and is the incumbent New South Wales halfback. But ask him about his impressive resume and he’ll tell you: “I want more.”
The 29-year-old Eels star is gearing up for his 11th season in the NRL and has “to win a comp” written in bold and underlined at the top of his list of career goals.
He came close to ticking that off in when the Eels met cross-town rivals the Panthers in the 2022 grand final but it wasn’t to be.
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Now, fresh off the longest pre-season both he and team have had in five years, Moses is hungrier than ever for that premiership glory.
The Eels were brought back down to earth last season with injuries and suspensions contributing to the club missing finals for the first time since 2018.
One of those key injury blows was Moses, who fractured his eye socket in Round 24 and was forced to watch on from the sidelines as his team’s finals hopes evaporated.
Moses, who now has “three plates and a few screws” in his face told the Fox League Podcast it was “tough” having to sit out of the Eels’ final two games knowing he couldn’t do anything to help.
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He also opened up on just how serious the injury was.
“It happened like five or 10 minutes into the game, I had a head clash and I thought I was just a bit dazed so I kept trying to go,” he said.
“I went to a scrum later, bit down on my mouthguard and I could feel my face collapse.
“I kept playing until half time and I think Herbie Farnworth made a linebreak, I tried to chase him down and make a tackle and I knocked it again. I think it was pretty much done then.
“It was pretty stupid of me (to keep playing), it was pretty dangerous, I actually could’ve lost my eyesight. But I’m here now so it’s all right.”
Trying to push through a painful injury is nothing new for Moses — he played majority of Origin III in 2021 with a fractured back.
“I think I just don’t want to let my teammates down,” he said when asked about his pain threshold.
“Ever since I was young, that’s just what I’ve been brought up with and taught — that’s what we’re trying to bring here with Brad (Arthur) too.
“He needs his players out there full time and I just didn’t want to let my teammates down… But I probably did because I was injured.”
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Moses is one of the most competitive players in the competition. He “definitely” lives and breathes football, which became evident — to those who didn’t already know — when he famously missed the birth of his first child to play in the Eels’ preliminary final.
He’s always owned his passion, which is why he didn’t hesitate when asked what motivates him.
“To win a comp,” Moses said.
“Ever since I first started that’s all I’ve wanted to do.
“It’s pretty clear how long it’s been since we last won a comp so to do it here would be unbelievable. I’ve supported Parramatta since I was a young kid so it would be outstanding.”
It’s by no luck that Moses is one of rugby league’s elite halfbacks — and a big reason why the Eels almost broke that premiership drought two years ago.
He watches every NRL game and when he’s not watching he’s thinking about how his team can get to the next level.
“A lot of people ask me how I get away from footy but you know what I just put 100 per cent into footy because it’s my life. I love it so much,” Moses said.
“I do try to get away as much as possible but it’s pretty tough. My full focus is on what we can do better here, I love rugby league, I love this club.
“I want this club to succeed and be good so if I have to put everything I have into it then I’m going to do that.”
“I’ve loved it ever since I was a young kid. I’ve lived and breathed it, it’s all I’ve wanted to do since I was a young kid.
“To be living out my childhood dream now and still be doing it, it’s pretty special and I don’t want to let it slip up so I just want to work as hard as possible.”
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The little Moses that grew up with big dreams would’ve been pretty chuffed with what he achieved last season — 200th milestone, a big-money extension and donning the Blues’ No.7. But the all-grown-up Moses is far from satisfied.
“I would rather throw all that away and play finals footy,” he admitted.
“All the work I’ve put in, it’s all paying off now… But that stuff is all gone now.
“Going into this season we want to put our heads down and we want to play finals, be a top four side and win a comp.
“All that (individual) stuff is good but I want more.”
And speaking of more, Moses doesn’t want to just stop at one premiership. He wants a “few.” He also hopes to one day become a Kangaroo.
“An Australian jersey probably (is on the list). There’s a lot of things, it’s not even just winning one (premiership) it’s winning a few. I’ll sort out maybe a comp first and we’ll go from there.”
