Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney remains hopeful of becoming the latest to sign a long-term contract extension to remain at the NRL club.
Shaun Lane’s re-signing last week means Mahoney is the only member of the Eels’ expected starting 13 without a deal for beyond November.
Eels officials are understood to be deep in negotiations with the rake, who has been touted as a future Queensland State of Origin representative.
And after emerging as the Eels’ first-choice No.9 last year, the Nambour product is keen on planting his roots in western Sydney.
A new contract could be announced before Thursday’s anticipated season-opener against Canterbury at Bankwest Stadium.
“Parramatta’s a great club. They’re heading in the right direction and you can see now, we’ve moved into a new facility,” Mahoney said on Monday.
“And in the years to come we’re going to have a high performance centre here that’s going to be one of the best. It’s a great club to be a part of.
“But I’m just worried about playing my footy at the moment.”
While Mahoney was buoyed by the Eels’ new digs in Kellyville, he is just as excited about their premiership prospects this season.
The club added key duo Ryan Matterson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard to a squad that remains largely intact to the one that finished semi-finalists last year.
“They’ve come with heaps of experience, heaps of leadership that I didn’t think that they would come with,” Mahoney said.
“Myself as a young player, I’ve got RCG and Matto (running) off me, (and) it’s really going to help my game, and obviously take theirs to the next level as well.”
Other than Mahoney, only the likes of Kane Evans, Brad Takairangi, Peni Terepo and David Gower are unsigned following this season.
Eels coach Brad Arthur told AAP that having the bulk of his top 30 signed on long-term deals would allow them to narrow their focus on a title run.
“I know a lot of people in their last year say it doesn’t play on their mind, but it’s just natural. It’s hard not for it to be there,” Arthur said.
“I was off-contract and I found it hard for myself. Everyone says, ‘No, no, leave it to my manager, don’t worry about it’.
“Yeah well that’s true, but there’s some level of not white lies to that. It was in the back of my mind, pressure builds.
“Team results indicate where you’re going to be at in terms of whether you’re going to get your contract or not. It’s the same with a player.”