Parramatta’s newly appointed captain, Mitch Moses, has been ruled out for the opening six weeks of the 2025 NRL season after scans confirmed a serious foot injury. The star halfback, who was set to lead the Eels under new head coach Jason Ryles, has suffered a stress reaction in his left foot. Further assessments revealed the full extent of the injury, with Moses expected to spend several weeks in a moon boot to aid his recovery.
Parramatta’s General Manager of Football, Mark O’Neill, explained that independent and expert medical opinions were sought, with the advice leading to Moses being sidelined for approximately six weeks. This absence is a significant blow for the Eels, who open their season against Melbourne Storm, with Ronald Volkman stepping in as halfback in Moses’ place. Moses will also miss crucial fixtures against the Tigers, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Dragons, and Raiders if his recovery follows the expected timeline.
Moses’ injury comes after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign in which he managed just eight games before a shoulder issue ended his season in Round 18. This foot injury is a continuation of ongoing fitness concerns that have disrupted his career in recent years. The setback is even more disappointing given that Moses had reportedly arrived for pre-season training in excellent shape, aiming to put his injury issues behind him.
Eels recruit Zac Lomax, who will make his debut for the club in the season opener, expressed disappointment at Moses’ setback. Lomax praised Moses’ work ethic and the effort he put into preparing for the season, describing him as the fittest he had seen him in a long time. According to Lomax, Moses returned to training earlier than required, determined to hit the ground running after missing so much football last year. Despite the frustration of losing their captain, Lomax emphasised the team’s “next man up” mentality, stressing that the squad would focus on performing regardless of who fills the key playmaking role.
The injury comes shortly after Moses signed a new long-term deal with Parramatta, securing his future with the club until the end of 2029. Given Moses’ importance to the team, his absence will pose a serious challenge to the Eels’ start to the season, especially with a tough opening stretch of games.
As Moses begins his recovery, the club will rely on its depth to cover the void left by their captain, with the hope that he will return to action ahead of schedule if his rehabilitation progresses smoothly.