Moses’ blunt admission as another Eels season fizzles out
Parramatta’s 2026 campaign has ended in bitter disappointment, with head coach Jason Ryles slamming his side’s performance against the Dragons.
St George Illawarra produced a final-round 24-22 upset at WIN Stadium after Tyrell Sloan nailed a match-winning 44-metre field goal.
Ryles and Moses were not happy. NRL
Despite holding a one-man advantage late in the contest, the Eels only managed to complete just two of their final seven sets and tallied a dismal 13 errors overall.
They repeatedly stifled their own momentum when the game was on the line, letting a golden opportunity slip away to end the season on a sour note.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Ryles didn’t hold back when assessing his team’s effort against the NRL wooden spooners.
“Disappointing, really disappointing. I thought our attitude was off today,” he said.
“It wasn’t up to standard and I feel for our fans who had to sit through that.
“We had opportunities there, but our attitude and application for periods of the game was just nowhere near NRL standard and we paid the price.”
When asked, Ryles said it was the Eels’ worst performance of the season.
He noted that the Dragons simply wanted the victory more, winning the physical battle early on.
“I thought they (the Dragons) ran harder in the first half. First contact was much better in the first half,” he said further.
“We started the first part really well, finished the last part of the half really well and got points. I think we thought it was just going to happen, but unfortunately, we didn’t go to the contest and we didn’t make it happen.
“The playing age of some of our players… that’s a big lesson for them.”
Eels captain Mitchell Moses was even less forgiving about the shock loss.
Reflecting on a performance where his team consistently shot themselves in the foot, the skipper offered a blunt review of their work ethic.
Tyrell Sloan celebrates the field goal. Getty Images
“We got what we deserved. Came with a shit attitude and thought we’d get it dished up,” Moses said.
Parramatta will now look to reset and head into the 2027 pre-season with optimism and a healthier roster after a horror injury toll this year.
The club will welcome four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai for a stop-gap season before he joins the PNG Chiefs.
