Once considered one of the fastest players in the league, Michael Jennings admits being "run down" by Parramatta's disappointing NRL campaign.
Jennings bounced back from a shock appearance in reserve grade a fortnight ago with a solid performance in the Eels' latest loss to Newcastle on Friday.
Jennings said coach Brad Arthur was right to axe him during the representative round while the rest of the playing group had the week off.
"It was a big decision he had to make, but he just wanted to see me happy again, put me down there to refresh, and get my confidence back," Jennings told AAP on Tuesday.
"It hurt at the start, but it was a lesson learnt for me."
The former NSW and Kangaroos representative conceded the Eels' disastrous season had taken a toll on him as he searched for answers to climb back up the ladder.
Only once in the past five seasons - when the Eels were stripped of 12 competition points for salary cap cheating and finished last in 2016 - has Jennings missed the finals.
"This entire season's been a lesson for me. Mentally and physically, with the way the season's gone, I've felt really run down to be honest," he said.
"I haven't been in this situation for a long time, so I'm embracing it as much as I can."
At 30 years of age, Jennings dismissed any speculation he is no longer motivated to re-captured his best form at the Eels.
"All this losing drives me. Being a leader when all hell breaks loose and not everything goes your way. It motivates me not to give up," he said.
"I'm always thinking about what I can do to better this team.
"There's nothing wrong with my motivation. I'm having a baby soon as well. And I'm playing right edge when I've been playing left my whole career. That's another motivation."
He also denied any concern over his future at the club, having recently revealed his decision to take up a player option to remain at the club next year.
"I never really thought that getting dropped would mean I won't be here next year. I'm just worried about the now and how I'm feeling at the moment," he said.
"I don't think about my future. That's what my manager's paid to do and I let him deal with all my contracts and future planning."
