Mitchell Moses expects to play in Parramatta’s do-or-die semi-final against Canberra after showing no ill-effects from a head knock.
Moses was left flattened after his head contacted the hip of a hard-running Viliame Kikau in last week’s qualifying-final loss to Penrith.
The Parramatta half did not return to the field, and has been entered into the NRL’s concussion protocols as he fights to return against Canberra on Friday.
But the early signs are good, as the Eels attempt to get past week two of the finals for the first time in five attempts since 2017.
Moses got through a light running session on Monday and will ramp up his training this week, while also seeing an independent specialist to be cleared to play.
But based on how he has felt in the days since the knock, Moses is confident he will be cleared.
“I feel good,” Moses said.
“Obviously it didn’t look too good. I got my head in the wrong spot and was out cold.
“I feel pretty good. I didn’t really have any (symptoms). I actually wanted to go back out onto the field.
“I remembered all the game and I remembered the incident. I didn’t have any headaches so I feel pretty good.”
Moses had suffered no serious previous concussions, giving him further confidence he will be fine to return against the Raiders.
And he is not concerned about his tackling technique.
Criticised for his defence early in his career, that part of Moses’ game has improved out of sight in recent seasons with the Eels’ right edge proving hard to crack in big games.
He also put on one of the hits of the year on Kenny Bromwich in the last round of the regular season.
It’s part of the reason why Moses says he doesn’t need to remedy anything in own technique to avoid further head knocks.
“That was just me being in the wrong position,” he said.
“The game is fast, very fast. He stepped off the left foot and collected me on spot.
“It was the wrong technique, but things like that are going to happen. Rugby league is a fast game and the big boys are going to run at you.
“But you’ve just got to try and limit how much it does happen.”
Moses’ inclusion would be as significant for the Eels as any other player in their squad.
However, Eels players have backed Jakob Arthur to step up at halfback if required, after a difficult season in the spotlight and copping criticism from Parramatta fans.
“If Mitch is ruled out, we’ve got full belief in Jake to go out there and do his job,” captain Clint Gutherson said.
“It’s hard when you’re the coach’s son and you’re not Nathan Cleary who’s one of the best in the world.”
