3 minute read
Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses tried to keep lid on the hype surrounding the Eels before their NRL semi-final against minor premiers Melbourne.
Parramatta star Mitchell Moses has implored his teammates not to get carried away with Sunday's historic NRL finals win, saying their job isn't done yet.
The Eels sent an ominous warning to their rivals after advancing to a semi-final against Melbourne with a record 58-point thrashing of Brisbane.
The 11-try rout was Parramatta's first finals since 2009 and the first in three attempts for Moses across his seven years in first grade.
However, while pleased to break his finals duck, Moses remains wary of the Storm who are reeling from their upset loss to Canberra in their qualifying final.
"It gives you a bit of confidence but we have to keep a lid on it a little bit," Moses told AAP after the rout of the Broncos.
"Great win, we're going to enjoy it, but we got a job to do.
"Melbourne a great side. There's a reason why they've only lost four games (during the regular season) and it's because they're the best team in the comp."
Moses was among of host of stars for the Eels against the Broncos, scoring two tries, setting up two more, and kicking six goals for a 20-point haul.
The former Wests Tigers playmaker, who turns 26 on Tuesday, even earned some rave reviews from the eighth NRL immortal, Andrew Johns, for his defence.
"It's good to be noticed in that little aspect of the game but it's your job," Moses said.
"As a halfback, you gotta put your body in front. You gotta make tackles, because it's a big thing for the team defence."
Moses's first finals appearance was in a loss to Melbourne in a preliminary final in 2017, having controversially joined the Eels midway through the season.
Now that he's far more settled at the club, he is hoping the result is different.
"I remember we went in with a halftime lead, but Melbourne's Melbourne down there. They just had too much class," he said.
"(Billy) Slater, (Cameron) Smith, they were just too good for us on the night.
"Hopefully we've learned some lessons from that year.
"I came mid-year that year so hopefully we do a better job this time around."
