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Eels halves set to gel ahead of NRL finals

3 minute read

Dylan Brown insists his switch with halves partner Mitch Moses can only be a positive for Parramatta ahead of the NRL finals.

DYLAN BROWN of the Eels.
DYLAN BROWN of the Eels. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Parramatta insist Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown's late-season switch isn't fraught with danger as the halves duo battle to find their mojo before the NRL finals.

Moses and Brown swapped sides at the start of the season, with Moses headed to the left in a bid to take the kick pressure off his young halves partner.

The move was questioned by Parramatta legend Peter Sterling, who claimed Moses should have the No.1 priority as the senior half.

The Eels initially stuck by the plan, with Moses' kicking game catapulting him into a NSW State of Origin jersey when Nathan Cleary was injury.

But their recent form slump and Brown's lack of impact has caused a re-think.

Moses has moved back to the right for the last two matches, while Brown reverted to the left and again linked with second-rower Shaun Lane.

The switch didn't fix the Eels' woes in both attack and defence against Manly a fortnight ago, but Brown has at least set up his first two tries since round two in that match as well as Saturday's win over North Queensland.

"We're working on a few different things. But good things take time," Brown said.

"Considering the fact that we've both played either side it hasn't really been much of a dramatic change.

"I played there all last year so now it's not to worrying. It's not much difference at all. It's just new players around you."

The move will face a far tougher test against a Melbourne side chasing history with a 20th straight win on Saturday night.

Parramatta are one of two teams to have beaten the Storm this season, but both teams have changed significantly since round two.

The Storm are also the best in the NRL at applying kick pressure.

Christian Welch has made his career out of his line speed on opposition halves, while Brown's nemesis this week, Felise Kaufusi, was also vocal about it on Tuesday.

But the Eels aren't fazed by what the change will mean for their kicking game.

"They're both right-foot kickers so I don't think it changes what they do," captain Clint Gutherson said.

"It's just about getting their hands on the ball and playing a bit more footy together.

"They obviously played those sides last year and we were going well last year.

"It doesn't really change the way they both play. The both swing in and get their hands on the ball.

"And that's what we need from our halves, we need their hands on the ball and making the decisions and putting us in the right spot."

The Eels have backed Blake Ferguson to step up on return, after copping the bad news that Maika Sivo's season is over with ACL damage.

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