They're two of the most-stoic figures at Parramatta and, together, they've vowed to put last year's season from hell behind them and push for success in 2017.
Coach Brad Arthur hoped the seemingly endless scandals last year, including the salary-cap drama that cost them 12 competition points, were long gone.
But he did want one thing to remain: his team's fight.
"Look, we were competitive in every single game last year - we turned up every game. We just lacked a bit of ruthlessness at times," Arthur told AAP.
"Fingers crossed, there's no distractions this year. It's a new season, we've got a new team and it's time to do our talking on the field."
While there are plenty of new faces across the roster, from Josh Hoffman in the backline to Nathan Brown and Frank Pritchard in the forwards, Arthur says their identity hasn't changed.
He'll always prioritise defence and they're going to hurt some teams in doing so.
"We've worked really hard and seen some of those signs in the pre-season with our tryline defence and making sure they had a real accountability to each other," he said.
"Obviously, we want to try and play a physical game."
It's a preaching that comes from the same rugby league bible that new co-captain Beau Scott reads from, a book that he's adamant he and his teammates had lived by last year.
The 13 wins Parramatta finished with last season would've been good enough to play finals, however the hard-hitting forward has also put their hellish campaign behind him.
"Last year was last year," he said.
"Obviously, it was one thing after the other off-field but, on the field, we held up our end of the bargain. We're going to have to replicate and do better than we did last year on the field.
"Everything's going to get looked after off the field. I can tell you the fans are going to be able to support a club that's trying its butt off."
Rising star Bevan French will get first crack at the crucial fullback spot despite weighing in as the lightest No.1 in the league, while Clinton Gutherson also has first dibs at five-eighth.
The acquisition of Brown, Pritchard, Suaia Matagi and Siosaia Vave add some genuine grunt.
However, the keys to the team belong in the capable hands of Corey Norman, the silky talent who had copped an eight-game ban for pleading guilty to drug possession.
PARRAMATTA:
* Premierships: 4 - 1981-83, 86
* Finishes over the past three seasons: 2016 - 14th; 2015 - 12th; 2014 - 10th
* Coach: Brad Arthur
* Co-Captains: Beau Scott and Tim Mannah
* Gains: Kirisome Auva'a, Nathan Brown (South Sydney), Jamal Fogarty, Josh Hoffman (Gold Coast), George Jennings, Suaia Matagi, Will Smith (Penrith), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Frank Pritchard (Hull FC), Siosaia Vave (Manly)
* Losses: Mitch Cornish, Michael Gordon (Sydney Roosters), Kieran Foran (Warriors), Tyrell Fuimaono, Luke Kelly (South Sydney), Vai Toutai (released), Anthony Watmough, Danny Wicks (retired)
* Strengths: Coach Arthur earned rave reviews for his stoicism in protecting his players last year, and their backline appears potent on both flanks
* Weaknesses: Norman's a star, but the rest of their spine consists of a kid who hasn't played a full season at fullback, an experimental five-eighth and a hardened but uncreative hooker
* Best team: Bevan French, Semi Radradra, Michael Jennings, Brad Takairangi, Josh Hoffman, Clinton Gutherson, Corey Norman, Tim Mannah (capt), Isaac De Gois, Nathan Brown, Manu Ma'u, Tepai Moeroa, Beau Scott (capt). Res: Kaysa Pritchard, Kenny Edwards, Siosaia Vave, Frank Pritchard
* Predicted finish: 13th
* Odds: $17
Share
