Parramatta superstar Mitchell Moses has been ruled out for at least the first six weeks of the NRL season.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports scans revealed the extent of a stress fracture in Moses’ foot, and he will be sidelined for a month and a half.
It is a bitter blow to new Eels coach Jason Ryles.
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Moses had already been ruled out of the club’s season opener against Melbourne this week.
The halfback’s absence is terrible timing as they prepare to face premiership favourites Melbourne no Sunday.
Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses. NRL Photos
“We’ve got a great group of staff to work out what’s wrong with him,” recruit Zac Lomax told media on Wednesday.
“It’s been a bit of an ongoing thing, he had it last year … we’ll get to the bottom of it. He’s disappointed, he wanted to hit the ground running, because he missed a heap of footy.”
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The 30-year-old’s injury has opened the door for Ronald Volkman to start the year in the playmaking role, just a year after his NRL career appeared to be in limbo.
Volkman signed with the Dragons last year but after the club’s medical staff discovered a shoulder injury, the young Kiwi’s deal didn’t up getting registered.
“A lot of players come across adversity like that and it’s pretty easy to throw the game away, but Ronnie has just persevered,” Hopgood said.
“He’s got big shoes to fill, but he doesn’t need to do anything but his job.”
Ronald Volkman during his side’s trial against the Knights. Getty
Volkman will be tasked with taking on a Storm outfit who look primed for another title tilt and will also be searching for a 23rd consecutive victory to begin a season.
But ending that streak is something the Eels are facing head-on.
“We’re the luckiest team in the comp, because we’re the ones who’ve got a chance to try and end it,” Hopgood said.
“It’s a bit of David vs Goliath there, but we’re gonna go down there and hopefully come away with a win.”
