Their last finals run went all the way to the first Sunday of October but Parramatta captain Tim Mannah believes his current squad of Eels is better placed than Jarryd Hayne's class of 2009.
Mannah is the last remaining member of the wild 2009 ride still playing NRL at Parramatta, as the club prepares for their first Sydney final in eight years.
And while Hayne's elusiveness made the Eels almost unbeatable in September 2009, Mannah is far more confident in where is current team is positioned ahead of Saturday night's semi-final with North Queensland.
"There is a lot more focus, a lot more maturity and a lot more composure about this group," Mannah told AAP.
"Whereas 2009 was a bit of a rollercoaster - everyone jumped on the wave - this one there has been a lot more preparation and hard work went into it."
This season has easily been the Eels' best since they were minor premiers but blew a title shot in 2005 - ironically against North Queensland in the preliminary final.
Unlike in 2009, where the Eels spent just three weeks of the regular season in the top eight, Parramatta have dropped no lower than 10th on the ladder and have been on track to be finals-bound since late June.
And Mannah believes it has left them in a position to end the longest drought in the NRL and claim the club's first title since 1986.
"There have been a lot of games where we have won and the feeling in the sheds was not excitement. It was expected," Mannah said.
"I think that is going to hold us in good stead for the pressure games and the boys aren't too overwhelmed by it."
The Eels were gallant in defeat in last Saturday's qualifying final loss to Melbourne, but have returned to Sydney even more confident of their finals hopes.
They'll likely have to survive another week without fullback Bevan French though, who failed to train with the team on Tuesday and is not expected to play Saturday.
The elusive fullback hasn't played since round 24 when he injured his hamstring, just a month after regular No.1 Clinton Gutherson suffered a season-ending knee injury.
But Mannah said the club was well equipped to cover his absence through their latest Mr. Fix It, Will Smith.
"It would be great to get (Bevan) back," Mannah said.
"I think the great thing about our squad is whoever steps in will do a good job. So either way we're in good hands."
There was better news though for hooker Cameron King, who has been cleared of a serious elbow injury and is expected to be fit to face the Cowboys.
Share
