Easter Monday Meltdown: Moses Torches Tigers as Off-Field Turmoil Explodes On the Field

In what can only be described as one of the most chaotic and emotionally charged weeks in Wests Tigers’ recent history, the drama off the field was matched only by the drama on it, as the team suffered a crushing 38-22 defeat to a revitalized Parramatta Eels side on Easter Monday at CommBank Stadium.

With the club engulfed in speculation surrounding young playmaker Lachlan Galvin and growing uncertainty over his future, the Tigers had hoped a strong on-field performance would help silence the noise. Instead, they were overrun by a Mitchell Moses-inspired Eels team who returned to form with a vengeance. Moses, playing his first game of the 2025 season after recovering from a foot injury, immediately breathed life into Parramatta’s attack. His control and vision sharpened their offensive edge and allowed fellow playmaker Dylan Brown to return to his more natural, threatening running game.

The Tigers were brave and fought back from a 26-10 deficit to narrow the margin to 26-22, but ultimately couldn’t match Parramatta’s intensity or execution in the crucial moments. A chaotic second half—marred by errors, a hip-drop penalty, and a sin-bin—exposed the Tigers’ vulnerabilities. Coach Benji Marshall acknowledged the turbulence of the week but refused to use it as an excuse, saying: “It’s been a big week, no doubt, for the whole club… but that’s not an excuse for some of the things that happened today.”

Tempers flared late in the game when Sunia Turuva was sin-binned for dragging Ryley Smith off the ball, leading to an on-field scuffle. The emotional toll was evident, not just among players but even club executives, with CEO Shane Richardson audibly sighing when skipper Api Koroisau was asked about the ongoing Galvin saga. Koroisau, staying focused, responded, “We’re here to play footy—we just need to focus on that.”

While the Tigers have a tough week of soul-searching ahead and must regroup before facing Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval, the Eels go into their bye week with renewed confidence. The irony of Moses—managed by the same agent attempting to lure Galvin from the Tigers—playing a central role in the Eels’ win was not lost on fans. For Parramatta, the return of their talisman has sparked fresh hope; for the Tigers, the storm is far from over.