Parramatta are hoping the recent visit of former star Jarryd Hayne can lift them into the NRL top eight for the first time since March.
Hayne watched from the sideline and appeared in the sheds following their last-start win over the Wests Tigers.
He also popped in to his old teammates at a few training sessions last week.
And after also taking in the State of Origin decider in Brisbane, the NFL hopeful flies back out to San Francisco on Tuesday, leaving behind a team that has moved on from the Hayne era.
"It's been good to see Jarryd," skipper Tim Mannah said.
"(But) I think we've done a really good job of moving on and not worrying about what we don't have anymore."
Parramatta can soar back into finals reckoning if they overcome arch-rivals Canterbury at ANZ Stadium this Friday night.
Just six weeks ago they were in last spot and facing a third wooden spoon in four years.
But the 12th-placed Eels recovered to post a three-game winning streak, with only an 11-minute collapse against North Queensland in Round 13 denying them five on the trot and a place in the top half.
Should they prevail over the Bulldogs this weekend, a finals appearance will become a genuine possibility.
"We always had that confidence that if we got a few games together we could make a little run," fullback Corey Norman said.
"Everyone wants to be there in the back end. We've just got to get through Friday night and put a good performance there.
"We'll see what happens from there."
Since making his first grade debut for Brisbane in 2010, the 24-year-old Norman has played just one finals fixture back in 2012.
And having missed out on September football due to a points differential last season, Norman is desperate for another crack at winning the premiership.
"Last year was a bit disappointing that we missed out. It'd be good if we got there again this year," he said.
Last week, the club confirmed the signing of Manly's star five-eighth Kieran Foran for next season, joining Cronulla fullback Michael Gordon in what shapes as a revamp of Parramatta's spine.
But Norman, who specialises in both positions and remains contracted for one more year, said he was unconcerned about his future under coach Brad Arthur.
"I'm playing fullback and that's where I have to play for the time being because of the second-tier salary cap and injuries," he said.
"I know where I stand in this team and at the moment I've just got to play where I've got to play. I'm confident in myself."
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