Brutal start for Ryles: New Eels coach loses star skipper Mitch Moses for daunting trip to Melbourne

Parramatta have been dealt a major blow with skipper Mitch Moses ruled out of their season opener against the Storm and rookie coach Jason Ryles forced to turn to Ronald Volkman who missed the entire 2024 campaign.

The club reported that the recently re-signed Moses will miss the trip to Melbourne “due to soreness from a previous injury”, with the halfback missing their second trial after dealing with pain from the foot he fractured last year.

“Mitch is experiencing soreness from a previous injury, we’re taking a cautious approach to ensure his foot heals properly and he can play his best football for the team,” Ryles said.

“We will continue to monitor Mitch’s recovery and make an assessment on a return date next week.”

Things don’t get any easier for the Eels who take on a Storm side that has never lost in round one under Craig Bellamy, with last year’s minor premiers naming Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates despite both men being in doubt.

The new era at the Wests Tigers faces a tough test with Jahream Bula, Starford To’a and Api Koroisau all unavailable, with Heath Mason named at fullback while Tristan Hope will come off the bench.

They face the Knights who will have Fletcher Sharpe and Jack Cogger in the halves, while new recruit James Schiller will start on the right wing.

Young gun Robert Toia finally gets a crack at right centre for a Roosters side that has gone with Naufahu Whyte at prop in place of the suspended Spencer Leniu, while Deine Mariner, Corey Paix and Jack Gosiewski all start for Brisbane.

There’s some good news for the Bunnies with Campbell Graham back on deck after missing the entire 2024 season with a sternum injury.

The strike centre broke his hand earlier in the year but trained well on Monday morning, with Cody Walker (calf) also cleared to face the Dolphins, with Lachlan Hubner winning the starting spot to replace the injured Cam Murray.

Blake Wilson and Marcelo Montoya have won the starting wing spots at the Bulldogs for their clash against the Dragons, while young gun Tom Duffy will make his debut at halfback for the Cowboys in their game against Manly.

Veteran Jason Taumalolo has been named on an extended bench as he continues to recover from a Lisfranc injury, while Jason Saab is back on deck for the Sea Eagles after some off-season complications with his syndesmosis injury.