Canberra forward Junior Paulo says the club are in survival mode as they desperately push to snap a three-match losing streak in their NRL clash with Parramatta.
The giant prop comes up against his former club in Saturday night's match at ANZ Stadium, with the Raiders 4-6 and looking a long way from the premiership contenders they were touted as earlier in the year.
"We're in survival mode now. You've got to be desperate for a win especially come this weekend against Parramatta," Paulo said on Wednesday.
Canberra's season hit a new low on Sunday when they were defeated by Newcastle in what was just the Knights' third win in 36 matches.
It came on the back of a poor performance against Canterbury and a golden-point loss to Manly.
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"The way we were playing last year, a lot of teams know the way we're going to approach games now," Paulo said.
"We've gone from being the hunters to being the hunted."
During the Raiders' losing run, Paulo has averaged 169 metres, playing almost an hour in each of the three matches.
But strong numbers haven't eased his frustration.
"I'm not worried about my personal stats. I'm worried about what I'm doing for the team," he said.
The Eels have made the timely acquisition of Mitchell Moses. The released Wests Tigers' playmaker had his first training session with his new club on Wednesday and was set to start at halfback.
Paulo said his mid-season switch to Canberra from Parramatta last year was easy and expected Moses' transition from the Tigers to be similarly seamless.
And Paulo is hoping he can cause some defensive headaches for the Eels' latest signing and his new teammates.
"If I can get the ball on the edge somewhere, I'm sure I'll be running at him but, if I get the ball, I'm just trying to run over whoever's in front of me," Paulo said.
Star forward Josh Papalii will re-join the Raiders' pack, with Paulo confident his return will provide better balance.
"It's going to be a massive boost for us and I'm sure it shifts our middles back into a normal routine," he said.
