He’s the man popping his head over the fence at Parramatta training that Mitchell Moses can’t get enough advice from leading into the NRL’s finals.
Immortal Andrew Johns is out of the Eels’ bubble but is still very much part of their pursuit of a drought-breaking NRL title in 2020.
Johns began working with Moses and Parramatta’s spine over the off-season, before the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to limit his role.
But it has not deterred him.
Johns is still at Parramatta training weekly, watching on from a nearby deck or well beyond the sideline.
But even when he’s not hands on, Johns is still influential.
He speaks with Moses on the phone about technical aspects, while also making his changes from afar.
“You can still get plenty done,” Moses said.
“He’s just over the fence pretty much.
“I speak to him pretty often, weekly, after games and before games and things like that.
“He’s been big for me this year and really helped my game.”
Advice that will be even more crucial in October.
“He has been there, done that. Played in big games and won big games. He’s done it all before,” Moses said.
“Any advice he has given the boys we’ve really been listening.”
Moses has the dream team of helpers at Parramatta, with Peter Sterling a close ally in a less official capacity.
“He’s the best No.7 to play for Parramatta,” Moses said.
“It’s the same as Joey, he’s played in big games and won big games.
“Any advice they want to give, I am listening.”
The support of past greats isn’t lost on Moses.
There is a feeling within Parramatta that critics have been too scathing of their form, despite winning 15 of 20 games this year.
Statistically, they have dropped off in periods in both attack and defence in recent months, but their third-place finish is the club’s best in 15 years.
It prompted Eels legends Mick Cronin, Brett Kenny, Peter Wynn and Eric Grothe to defend Moses and his form earlier this month.
“We’ve finished third. You’re going to cop it. Parramatta is always going to cop it,” Moses said.
“(The defence from past players) was pretty special. They don’t have to say those things. It was pretty special for them to come out and say that.
“I definitely appreciate it.”
Eels players though know they must learn form last year.
They were blown away 32-0 by Melbourne in the finals, but insist they are a different team now.
“Hopefully we just take a bit of experience out of it,” Moses said.
“How to handle the crowd, the situation, a finals match and the speed of the game.
“All those things come into it.”