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Parramatta half Dylan Brown is working closely with NRL Immortal Andrew Johns at the Eels, but had never watched him play while growing up.

Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown has spent the NRL pre-season in a halves masterclass with NRL Immortal Andrew Johns, but has never seen him play.

The 19-year-old was just six when the legendary Newcastle halfback announced his retirement in 2007, and anyway, Brown grew up a rugby union fan in New Zealand.

Johns, considered by some to be the greatest rugby league player to lace on a boot, has been working on skills with Brown, Mitch Moses and Reed Mahoney as a halves consultant.

But all Brown has for reference are the highlight reels and the slick moves he claims Johns still shows on the training paddock.

"I didn't watch league, I was more into union. I only started watching league when I was about 10," Brown said.

"There's been a few times like that where they've mentioned a few legends, even at my own club, I sort of get embarrassed about that but I wasn't around.

"I still know how significant of a person he is. He's the eighth Immortal.

"He still moves as if he did in his highlights."

According to Brown, Johns is able to break down the play into simple steps, which is easier to digest for young playmakers.

It's a dream learning environment for a young half coming into his second NRL season.

Coming off a frustrating year dealing with a debilitating back injury, Brown has recently signed a three-year contract worth an estimated $2 million to stay at the Eels and chase NRL success.

Parramatta have not won an NRL premiership since 1986 and believe this could be their year to break the longest title drought in the competition.

New recruit Ryan Matterson is leading the charge, inspiring his teammates with an impassioned speech just three sessions into his life at Parramatta.

"He actually got up in front of all of us and said this massive speech in front of all of us and we all just went: 'wow. He's here to win'," Brown said.

"Everyone had respect for him already, but for him to do that at a new club obviously shows that he wants to be a leader.

"It shows what kind of player he is and what he can do for us."

Matterson forms part of a five-man leadership group that was announced by the Eels on Wednesday with Clint Gutherson, Mitch Moses, Junior Paulo, and Nathan Brown joining him.