Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses has capped off a stellar 2025 season by being crowned NRL Player of the Year at the prestigious Ken Thornett Medal Awards held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Sunday night. The accolade, which honours the club’s best and fairest player, marks Moses’s second Ken Thornett Medal triumph, with his first coming in 2019.
In front of a packed audience of teammates, coaching staff, and supporters, Moses was recognised for his outstanding leadership, consistency, and game-winning performances throughout the 2025 NRL season. The 31-year-old playmaker guided the Eels to a strong finals campaign, showcasing his trademark composure, creativity, and pinpoint kicking game that proved pivotal in several close victories.
Accepting the award, Moses reflected on the journey that brought him to this moment.
“This club means everything to me,” he said. “It’s been a tough few years with ups and downs, but this season we showed what we’re capable of. I wouldn’t be standing here without the boys beside me, our coaching staff, and the fans who never stopped believing.”
Head coach Brad Arthur, who also received special recognition on the night for reaching 300 NRL games as coach, praised Moses for his growth as both a player and a leader.
“Mitch has taken his game to another level this year,” Arthur said. “He’s matured into one of the most complete halves in the competition—his control, his defence, and his ability to read the game have been world-class.”
Other winners on the night included Clint Gutherson, who received the Blue & Gold Army Members’ Choice Award, and rising star Blaize Talagi, who was named Rookie of the Year after a breakout season in the Eels’ backline. The Ken Thornett Clubman of the Year award went to Junior Paulo, recognising his outstanding contribution both on and off the field.
The atmosphere at the ceremony was electric, with highlights of the season played on giant screens and emotional tributes to retiring players. Fans took to social media to celebrate Moses’s win, hailing him as the “heartbeat of Parramatta” and calling for his inclusion in next year’s NSW State of Origin squad.
As the 2025 season draws to a close, Moses’s triumph stands as a symbol of the Eels’ resurgence — and a promise of bigger things to come for Parramatta in 2026.
