NRL great Braith Anasta has declared this season is the last before the Eels’ premiership window slams shut.
The Eels are 80 minutes away from their first grand final since 2009 as they attempt to end a title drought dating back to 1986.
If Parramatta beat the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday night they’ll then face the Panthers or Rabbitohs in the decider.
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The Eels are losing hooker Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs) and star backrower Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers) at the end of the season
Marata Niukore (Warriors) will also depart and premiership winner Anasta believes this season is their last chance to win a premiership.
“The most important thing (about this season) is they’re losing Mahoney and Papali’i next year, so if they don’t win the comp this year they won’t win it next year,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
“This is a small window, an opportunity they have to win a premiership, they’re in good form, they go and take on the Cowboys and if they win they can beat Penrith, they’re the only team to beat them twice this season.”
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Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield then explained why star players are leaving the club this season.
“Have you seen their salary cap? The money (Clint) Gutherson is on? The money (Nathan) Brown is on?” he said.
“How much (Mitchell) Moses wants. Junior Paulo. Ryan Matterson. They’re overloaded on the those players I’ve just mentioned.”
“That’s why they’ve got to win this year,” Anasta said.
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Rothfield and Paul Kent argued a preliminary final was a pass mark for Brad Arthur’s men, but James Hooper disagreed.
“(The pressure) should be off (Arthur)… at the beginning of the season no one tipped Parra to win the com,” Kent said.
“I disagree that it’s a pass mark… it’s not just about their coach Brad Arthur it’s about their players, it’s about it’s the longest drought”
“It is a pass mark. “I cannot understand this external pressure, external pressure is for clubs like Newcastle,” Rothfield said.
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