Mitchell Moses joined an exclusive three-man club in scoring 1000 points for Parramatta with the halfback paying tribute to the influence one of the trio has played in his career.
The Eels No.7 landed eight from eight with the boot to score a personal tally of 16 points in the Eels 48-20 win over the Dolphins at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday to take his career points for the Eels to 1005.
Only Luke Burt (1793 points) and four-time premiership winner Michael Cronin (1971) have more.
“It is very special,” Moses told AAP.
“Michael Cronin did so much for the club in the 1980s and then Luke Burt was unbelievable at Parramatta throughout his career.”
Moses credits goal-kicking whiz Burt for giving him the tools to become one of the game’s leading sharp shooters when he was a teenager.
“When I was 15 years old I was playing at Parramatta Harold Matts (Harold Matthews Cup) and Burty would come to training and help us goal kick,” Moses recalled.
“I still have memories of what he taught me and I took that with me into my career and it stays with me now.
“I also worked with him in 2017 with the Lebanon World Cup team when he was with us. I love Burty. I learned a lot from him and he’s a great bloke as well.”
Moses played halfback in NSW’s 32-6 loss to Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Blues advisor Greg Alexander has since said he was one of the side’s better players in the disappointing performance.
Moses said he would “definitely love another shot” at playing for NSW in game three of the series in Sydney on July 12.
There was never any doubt he would back up for the Eels.
“The body felt very sore but there was no question I would play,” he said.
“I was obviously very unhappy with how we performed the other night. It still hurts so I wanted to come out here and do my best for the club and team.
“I didn’t play my best footy but I was helped by the other boys.
“If we can keep this form going until the end of the season we will put ourselves in the top four.
“The top four is definitely the goal. If you can finish in the top four you give yourself a chance of playing in the GF (grand final).”
The win over the Dolphins was the Eels’ fifth in a row after a slow start and solidifies their position in the top eight, with a bye to come next week.
Parramatta made the grand final last year and Moses said there had been steps forward in 2023.
“I think individually we are a lot better this year. Everyone knows what they are doing in our squad,” Moses said.
“We weren’t happy with the start to the year but we weren’t far off. Obviously we would have loved a few more wins but we were losing by four points, two points, one point and golden point.
“At the end of the year we need to win those games. That’s the thing.”