Eels veteran a scratching as Ryles makes forward pack switch: Late Mail

Eels superstar Mitchell Moses is set to miss six weeks, in a hammer blow for Parramatta after scans revealed a stress reaction in his left foot.

Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Moses, replaced in the No.7 by Ronald Volkman for Round 1 against the Storm, will be stuck in a boot while he recovers.

“Mitch has had a stress reaction in his left foot,‘’ Eels General Manager Football Mark O’Neill said in a statement.

‘’We have sought independent and expert medical opinions and following this advice Mitch will be in a boot for a few weeks and is expected to miss six weeks of football.”

It is the same foot upon which Moses surgery last year.

It was initially thought that Moses’ recovery may be shorter, but the Eels will now be without their best player for a significant chunk of the early season.

Moses was also made captain this season under new coach Jason Ryles.

Parramatta's new captain Mitchell Moses. Picture: NRL Imagery Source: Supplied

Read on for Late Mail ahead of Round 1!

SUNDAY MARCH 9

Melbourne Storm vs. Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park, 4.05pm AEDT

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick

Players cut: 20. Joe Chan 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Kane Bradley

Late Mail:Storm captain Harry Grant said Ryan Papenhuyzen was ready despite battling knee and ankle issues during the pre-season. Speaking on his podcast this week, Papenhuyzen said Bellamy had thrown him “under the bus” by declaring the fullback was doubtful to take on the Eels after missing both of his team’s trial games.

“He said it was my knee and ankle and made it sound like I’m breaking down – it’s not my ankle, it’s just my knee,” Papenhuyzen told the 167 Podcast he hosts with teammates Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is ready to go for round 1. Source: Supplied

“I had a little tear in my meniscus and while that’s sweet now I’ve got a little stitching from my knee surgery that’s calcified … that’s just caused a bit of irritation.

“I’ve run the last couple of training sessions. It just seems to be one thing after the next, but it’s not too bad. I’ve just got to manage what it is. Hopefully, I get the all clear.”

He was named in the team on Tuesday and Grant said Papenhuyzen was a “resilient bugger” and would take his place at AAMI Park on Sunday.

“He’s just been training and completed all his training since off the back of that trial,” Grant said on Wednesday.

“We know what ‘Paps’ is like, he’s a resilient bugger, and he’s professional with the way he does these things.

“He’ll definitely be ready to go round 1.”

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 17. Charlie Guymer 21. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Joash Papali’i 20. Toni Mataele

Players cut: 16. Ryan Matterson 19. Jordan Samrani 22. Joey Lussick

Late Mail:Ryan Matterson is a late scratching withSam Tuivaiti coming onto the bench. Mitch Moses, replaced in the No.7 by Ronald Volkman for Round 1 against the Storm, will be stuck in a boot while he recovers for up to six weeks from a foot stress injury.

It is the same foot upon which he has surgery last year.

It was initially thought that Moses’ recovery may be shorter, but the Eels will now be without their best player for a significant chunk of the early season.

BYE – Gold Coast Titans

Click here to read article