In Blake Ferguson, Parramatta have a player who can make them believe

In Blake Ferguson, Parramatta finally have a player who has sparked the Eels to life. And with a shot of confidence exciting and unexpected things can happen, writes MATTY JOHNS.

Ferguson looks like a catalyst for change at Parramatta. Image: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

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Parramatta don’t need to beat the Roosters on Friday night, but they do need to walk off the field believing they can beat them.

It’s very early in the season and there will be plenty of people telling the Eels and their fans not to get too excited, yet. But the Parramatta players should be excited, what’s the alternative?

Even in the early rounds, there’s nothing better than picking up the paper on Monday morning and seeing yourselves at the top of the table. It’s what builds confidence and cohesion in the squad.

The Eels have started this season with a style of football that is smiling, a nice contrast to last year’s disastrous groan.

Ferguson looks like a catalyst for change at Parramatta. Image: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

Blake Ferguson has been a gift from the football gods.

Occasionally, a struggling club sign a player who is able to transform the playing group. Ferguson’s confidence and swagger seems to be bleeding into all his new teammates.

The loss of Semi Radradra was devastating for the Eels. Semi kickstarted the Eels’ set of six, was their leading yardage man and, of course, had the ability to score game-changing tries out of nothing.

Radradra’s brilliance and presence gave the Eels the confidence and healthy arrogance that all teams need.

When Semi left for France, he seemingly took that confidence with him.

The Radradra-sized hole has been well filled. Image: Matt King/Getty Images

While Radradra excelled in Europe, he left a hole at Parramatta that the Eels couldn’t fill.

The arrival of Blake Ferguson looks to have fixed that. Ferguson, along with Taumalolo, is the best yardage man in the game. With Ferguson taking early possessions, suddenly the Eels’ sets of six are rolling upfield rapidly.

The other thing Blake brings, like Semi, is the ability to score vital tries out of nothing. The confidence is back.

Detractors will say they’ve only beaten an under-par Penrith and wooden spoon favourites the Bulldogs. But you sense a change, you sense this ain’t fool’s gold.

Moses now has responsibility and options. Image: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Take the spine, for instance. It looks settled and well balanced.

Mitchell Moses’s wish has been granted, it’s now his team. I’m really enjoying his combination with young Dylan Brown.

Brown doesn’t overplay his hand, he doesn’t let adrenaline and youthful enthusiasm force him into error.

Moses is the primary playmaker and Brown his happy apprentice. As a result, the ball goes to the right places, at the right times — in contrast to last season when Corey Norman and Mitch Moses fought for possession, regardless of where the best opportunity lay.

While talking of Dylan Brown, the Eels’ new backrower Shaun Lane deserves enormous credit for the young playmaker’s great start.

A playmaker is only as good as his ball runners and Lane is running beautiful lines off his six.

LISTEN! In the second episode of his No.1 podcast, Matty drills down on the Keary/Cronk combination, lauds the small forward revolution and tells how the Knights almost sacked him — twice.

To complete the spine, Reed Mahoney has been excellent. The young nine gives great service but most importantly has speed and punch.

And of course, at fullback you have Clint Gutherson. “Gutho” is like gold for Moses and Brown. His ability to ball play allows Brown to underplay his hand and is another set of eyes for Moses.

Friday night is a great litmus test in exactly where this team is at, and come full-time will provide plenty of good thought for young men Brown and Mahoney.

The defending premiers will keep the ball in play and slowly build layer upon layer of pressure on the Eels to see how they react.

Reed Mahoney looks like a real find for Parramatta. Image: Brett Costello

Luke Keary, like on grand final night, excelled against Manly last Saturday in the role of chief playmaker. The challenge for Trent Robinson and the Keary/Cronk combination is to get the best out of both halves while they are on the pitch together.

Cronk is a controlling half, talking non-stop, pushing his players into position. Keary is more watch and react.

When Cronk is on the pitch, I feel Keary, whether consciously or subconsciously, takes a step back.

For all their success, this combination still has substantial improvement in it, therefore so have the Roosters. Scary thought for opposition teams.