A week is like a lifetime in footy. It can take you from the depths of frustration, anger and despair to unbridled joy and renewed belief.
And it was exactly that kind of ride that we were taken on following the return of Mitch Moses to the Eels team on Monday. What an impact Moses has on our Eels team, even on us, the fans! I went to the game really confident. It’s been a while since I have felt that.
I won’t take a deep dive into any of the intricacies of the impact that our halfback and captain has on the team. All we need to do is appreciate is that we have a great halfback who loves our club and wants to make us successful.
The late great Jack Gibson said, “Talent is secondary to whether the players are confident.” Does that resonate in the context of the 2025 Eels?
Moses gives our players confidence and they play so much better with him in the team. He is turning into a great leader, one whose actions, not just words, puts the team first.
Moses joins the celebration
Now to the Lachlan Galvin situation, a player who by the implication of his team mates does not put his team first. I won’t go further into those social media posts. You can draw your own conclusions about such unprecedented messaging.
I’d much rather write about Galvin the player.
A young Lachlan Galvin reminds me so much of a young Mitch Moses who arrived at the Eels via the Tigers back in 2017.
Galvin possesses similarities in his footy instincts, running game, and even the occasional rash decisions, to that young Moses.
In footy terms Galvin is so raw.
It all adds up to Moses being the perfect mentor person for Galvin.
Outside of his football development, Galvin will also learn to shut out the hate and mocking just as Moses has had to do for much of his career.
Many people said Mitch was crazy for coming to Parra when he did, or extending his contract on multiple occasions. Others even shouted that the Eels were crazy for taking a risk on him.
Sam Tuivaiti being congratulated
But as we have seen, game managers who are equally composed as they are brilliant are rare. We have seen that they take time to develop and mature. Let’s just celebrate ours and hope that Lachlan Galvin finds a place where he can be best guided.
On a final note, I want to reflect on being back in the CommBank stands, albeit as an “away” fan.
Naturally, I will always enjoy watching my Eels team at such a brilliant venue. It’s our home no matter what the draw says. I guess the Broncos understand the feeling every year when Magic Round arrives.
It was a wonderful atmosphere, although I must agree with Sixties about the constant music, sometimes less is more.
As for my moment from the match, how can I select just one?
So let’s narrow it down to the beautiful Josh Addo Carr intercept and Mitch Moses’ pitch perfect kick for Bailey. From my position in the stands, both turned momentum and calmed my nerves.
Enjoy our bye weekend and those two points that will help us to climb back up the ladder. I truly believe the season is far from over.
Shelley
As always, a thoughtful piece that nails it. An enjoyable read.
What a game!
The thing about that performance that really made me impressed was when the Tigers scored a couple of tries and took every inch of the momentum, the Eels dug in and swung the momentum instantly back in their favour. It looked for all money that the Tigers would just get a roll on and win the game, but the Eels weren’t worried and with Moses’ leadership went on to win.
So good to see some of the young and inexperienced players play out of their skins too.
And did it twice, once in the first half when the Tigers had a run of possession in a Murphy’s Law 15 minutes, from memory a Dylan Brown break was the rally point, then they only held us out because the ref allowed plenty of leniency in desperation defence. In fact I reckon he let it run because he felt our dominance was about to prevail. Then in the second half with 11 men, we scrambled hardto stop the dam bursting, long enough to be the team in best shape for the final 10 minutes of 13 on 13.
I ended up in the hill
Whilst I didn’t love standing all game my kud did and it took me back to the good old days I wouldn’t be opposed to us doing something similar.
So many big moments from the big players but the new blood stepping up I loved Big Sam and Luca turned momentum, Walter creates space for the halves this unlocked longi and a big 80 mins fron Ryley
By no means perfect but it was positive
You sum it up well Shelley. I always enjoy reading your pieces.
Thanks.
Excellent post Shelley.
We wondered as did the media about how much of an impact Moses could make to our team. The answer is clear, we are a 50% better team both offensively and defensively.
Our season could have looked completely different if not for his injury. In my opinion, we would have beaten the Tigers, Dogs and Manly with Moses.
Galvin, it’s seems to good to be true, things have a habit of going south on us when good things appear on the horizon. But, I thought that when we were rumoured to sign Lomax and JAC.
Moses was a big draw card for Lomax and appears to be the reason Galvin is keen to join the Eels.
I was upset to see Brown sign elsewhere but boy my tears will dry quicker than a rain drop on a hot tin roof if Galvin becomes an Eel.
I agree with everything you wrote about Galvin, I once thought Brown would lead the team when Moses retires but everyone except Newcastle knows that Brown is not a 7 and never will be.
Galvin would be our future, as you said, he has every attribute to become our future halfback
Four years playing with Moses will have him primed to be our future playmaker for the next decade.
Galvin would secure our short and long term future.
And how’s Gould’s form, he’s on record saying any club who signs Galvin will win premierships, now he’s not interested? What’s he not interested in, winning premierships? One of two things have happened, Isaac Moses has made it clear that he won’t be joining the Dogs or he’s deflecting attention in an attempt to lure Galvin from under our noses.
I’m biased I know but if I was Galvin at this stage of career, I’d rather be playing off Moses rather than having the pressure of being the main man at a ruthless club managed by a dictator.