**Mitchell Moses Crowned Dally M Medalist After Stellar Season with Parramatta Eels
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In one of the most defining moments of his career, **Mitchell Moses**, the star halfback of the **Parramatta Eels**, has been awarded the **2025 Dally M Medal**, recognizing him as the **NRL’s best and fairest player** for the season. It’s a crowning achievement that reflects not only his individual brilliance but also his inspirational leadership in steering the Eels through one of their most competitive seasons in recent memory.
The moment Moses’ name was announced, applause echoed through Sydney’s International Convention Centre as he humbly took to the stage. After years of battling expectations, injuries, and critics, Moses stood before the rugby league community, not just as a skilled playmaker but as a matured, complete footballer—a leader whose season-long consistency, vision, and resilience led him to the sport’s most prestigious individual honor.
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### A Season to Remember
Statistically and emotionally, Mitchell Moses’ 2025 season was a career best. He was the engine behind a rejuvenated Parramatta side, whose aggressive attack and tight defense saw them finish top four for the first time since 2020. Moses tallied an astonishing **32 try assists**, **14 line-break assists**, and averaged **over 400 kick metres per game**, all while maintaining a tackle efficiency of nearly **90%**.
He orchestrated the Eels’ attacking structure with poise and flair. Whether it was a pinpoint 40/20 kick, a silky long pass to Clint Gutherson, or a courageous last-ditch tackle, Moses was at the heart of everything Parramatta did right.
> “Mitch’s game has evolved in every way,” said Eels coach **Brad Arthur**. “He’s not just steering the ship—he’s building it, reinforcing it, and leading it through every storm.”
Moses was also crucial in tight moments, delivering two game-winning field goals and producing clutch plays against top-tier teams like Penrith, Melbourne, and the Broncos.
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### From Criticized to Celebrated
Moses’ Dally M win marks a full-circle moment for a player whose career has often been under the microscope. Since his debut with the Wests Tigers in 2014, Moses has experienced the full spectrum of professional sport—from being branded as inconsistent to being hailed as elite.
His early years at Parramatta, after joining the Eels mid-season in 2017, were marked by flashes of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency and defensive lapses. Critics questioned whether he could ever truly lead a premiership-contending team.
But over the last three seasons, Moses silenced the doubters. His work ethic off the field—focused on improving his defense, leadership, and game management—began to show dividends.
> “He’s always had the talent,” said Eels captain **Clint Gutherson**. “What we’ve seen this year is his maturity and responsibility—he’s become a complete footballer.”
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### Personal Challenges, Professional Growth
Mitchell Moses’ Dally M win is even more remarkable considering the off-field challenges he has faced. In recent seasons, Moses has dealt with the pressures of fatherhood, injury setbacks, and the ever-looming contract negotiations that often accompany star players.
In early 2024, he suffered a fractured cheekbone during Round 3, sidelining him for over a month. Many questioned how quickly he’d return to top form. But when he did return, he did so with fire. His comeback match against the Roosters was a masterclass, scoring a try, setting up two more, and kicking five from five goals.
In interviews, Moses has often credited the birth of his daughter in 2023 as a turning point in his career and mindset.
> “Becoming a dad changed how I saw everything,” he said after receiving the medal. “Footy is still a big part of my life—but now I play for something bigger. It keeps me grounded. It gives me perspective.”
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### A Huge Win for the Parramatta Eels
Moses’ win is not just a personal triumph—it’s a massive endorsement of the Parramatta Eels’ culture, resilience, and progress. The club, which last won a premiership in 1986, has been on a long road to redemption. With a blend of seasoned players like Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, and Junior Paulo, alongside breakout talents like Blaize Talagi and J’maine Hopgood, 2025 has marked a clear resurgence.
Under Brad Arthur, who has coached Moses since 2017, the Eels have moved beyond “potential” and into serious contention. Arthur, who has faced his own share of scrutiny, praised Moses not just as a player but as a cultural leader.
> “He’s the standard. The younger boys watch him train, watch how he prepares, how he responds to setbacks. That’s leadership. He earned every point of that medal.”
Moses is the first Parramatta player since Peter Sterling in 1987 to win the Dally M Medal—a symbolic moment that links generations of Eels halfbacks and perhaps hints at a new era of glory for the club.
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### The Numbers Behind the Medal
Mitchell Moses’ Dally M win came with a total of **33 points**, edging out Panthers forward **Isaah Yeo** (31 points) and Broncos sensation **Reece Walsh** (29 points). He polled in **13 of 24 games** and was voted best on ground in **seven** of them.
#### Key Stats:
* **Try Assists:** 32
* **Line Break Assists:** 14
* **Try Contributions:** 41
* **Kick Metres/Game:** 407m average
* **Tackle Efficiency:** 89.7%
* **Field Goals:** 3
* **Goal Conversion Rate:** 82%
While many players shone during the season, few could match Moses’ blend of consistency, creativity, and control.
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### Recognition and Praise
The rugby league world has reacted with widespread praise for Moses’ historic win.
* **Andrew Johns**: “He’s always had that spark, but now he’s added patience and game management. That’s what makes a great halfback.”
* **Phil Gould**: “Mitchell has matured. He reads the game like a general, and this medal is proof he’s earned the respect of the league.”
* **Cooper Cronk**: “I’ve been critical of Moses in the past, but there’s no denying he was the best in the comp this year. No weak links.”
Even long-time critics on social media turned to applause, with many noting his improved mental toughness and ability to lift teammates.
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### Moses’ Speech: Humble, Grateful, and Focused
In an emotional acceptance speech, Moses thanked his teammates, coaches, family, and the fans.
> “This game has given me everything—challenges, setbacks, opportunities. To my teammates—you made this possible. This isn’t just mine—it belongs to the whole club, to the fans who’ve stuck with us through thick and thin.”
He also paid tribute to his late grandfather, **Ray Moses**, a former Lebanese rugby league representative and one of Mitchell’s biggest influences.
> “I know he’s watching. This one’s for him.”
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### What’s Next?
The Dally M Medal win only adds to the growing expectations for Mitchell Moses and the Eels heading into the NRL Finals Series. With Parramatta sitting second on the ladder, they are poised to make a genuine push for their first premiership in nearly four decades.
Moses knows the work isn’t done.
> “Individual awards are special, but footy’s about the team. We’ve got bigger goals—and it starts next week.”
The Eels will enter the finals with confidence, knowing they are led by the league’s best player in 2025.
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### Final Thoughts: A Career-Defining Moment
Mitchell Moses’ Dally M Medal is more than an individual accolade—it’s a symbol of transformation, redemption, and resilience. It is the product of years of effort, sacrifice, and belief—both in himself and from those around him.
He has become not only Parramatta’s conductor but one of the NRL’s true modern leaders. And now, with the Dally M Medal in hand, he stands tall in the history of the game—joining the ranks of legends.
If the 2025 season has taught us anything, it’s this: **Mitchell Moses is no longer the player with “potential.” He is the finished product—and the NRL’s best.**
And he’s just getting started.
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