Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler was impressed with the Eels’ performance on Monday but believes consistency is the key for halfback Mitchell Moses and his side if they are to emerge as genuine premiership contenders.
It was a dominant display from the Eels as they trounced Wests Tigers 51-6 in a historic clash at Bankwest Stadium and it was Moses who emerged as the hero in the nine-tries-to-one rout.
His stunning attacking masterclass included three try-assists, two line-break assists and an 80m dash for the first try of the game but Fittler believes repeating his efforts on a weekly basis is imperative moving forward for a player who was named in an Emerging Blues squad last year.
“Well at the moment, the Eels are in for a week and out for a week – last week they weren’t that convincing against Canberra,” Fittler told nswrl.com.au.
“So maybe I need to see a couple of weeks in a row to be convinced.”
While the Eels have emerged as top eight contenders with four victories to start their 2019 campaign, a loss to the Roosters in Round 3 and a 19-0 defeat to the Raiders last weekend hampered their strong start.
Fittler lauded their ability to rise to the occasion on Monday with the opening of the world-class stadium.
“Across the board I think I thought they were fantastic (and) I think they were lifted by the occasion,” Fittler said.
“Speaking with Peter Sterling and he was just talking about how the atmosphere was amazing.
“He paid particular attention to when Mitchell (Moses) made the first break and he reckons the noise of the crowd got him home…(he) just said (it was) the noise that drove him.
“It was a great occasion which they handled very well. On the other hand, the Tigers were just terrible but I want to see Parramatta do it next week and the week after.”
The Eels will be searching for back-to-back victories when they travel to Newcastle to face a desperate Knights outfit this Sunday.
