Parramatta have promoted development hooker Reed Mahoney into their NRL squad and re-signed him until the end of the 2020 season.
Mahoney is projected to start in the No.9 jersey for coach Brad Arthur this season in what is expected to be the most inexperienced spine in the competition.
The Queensland Under-20 State of Origin squad member played nine games last season after he made his NRL debut in round 14 against North Queensland.
"I backed myself last year to make my NRL debut and I was lucky enough that it happened," Mahoney said.
"I thought if I come back in the pre-season hungry and trained really well, then there could be opportunities for me to be upgraded and extended."
With the prospect of joining Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses in the Eels' key positions for 2019, the 20-year-old Nambour native insisted he hadn't looked elsewhere while waiting for a full-time deal.
"I definitely wanted to stay at Parramatta," Mahoney said.
"I have a soft spot for Parramatta.
"They brang (sic) me in when I was 17 and when you get to debut for the club it's just a little bit extra special."
