The Eels’ bid to end their 36-year premiership drought is in jeopardy after falling to the Panthers 27-8 on Friday night and losing star halfback Mitchell Moses in the process.
Moses departed the pitch in the 60th minute for a head injury assessment after receiving a Viliame Kikau knee to the head as he braced for a low tackle during Parramatta’s qualifying final match at Penrith Stadium.Moses failed his HIA and appeared to be out of the Eels’ upcoming sudden-death match against the victor of the Storm-Raiders elimination final.
However, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur suggested the Eels halfback was in good spirits after the match despite the sickening nature of the collision.
“He’s all right in the sheds,” Arthur said in his press conference.
“He said he remembers everything, he seems all right.
“His health is the main priority.
“But we’ve got a seven-day turnaround and he’s pretty important to us.”
The Panthers are also sweating on an injured star after Friday night’s match, having lost winger Taylan May to a hamstring injury in the 70th minute.
The speedster has a fortnight to recover after the Panthers’ win earned them the second weekend of the finals off, with the reigning premiers booking a spot in the preliminary finals.
However, May could miss the match regardless, after being reported and sin-binned for a high tackle on Will Penisini during the first half.
But the most significant talking point out of the game is Moses’ concussion.
“He’s been whacked here, Mitchell Moses. He is not well,” said Nine caller Mat Thompson at the time of the incident.
“Kikau just changed direction and came back straight at Moses,” Billy Slater added.
“He was looking for a right-shoulder tackle and when Kikau changed his direction he didn’t change his tackle.”
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary masterminded Penrith’s triumph in his return from a five-game suspension.
Playing his first match since his spear tackle on Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown, Cleary set up two tries and kicked superbly.
His exceptional performance drew praise from legendary Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston.
“I just sat back and watched the masterclass of Nathan Cleary,” Thurston said.
“Five weeks out of the game and comes back and produces probably the performance of the year.”
Cameron Smith was also in awe.
“Has he been playing park footy somewhere?” the Storm icon said with a laugh.
“Somewhere out in the mountains here?
“It was just a fantastic performance.”
