The last halves pairing to win a title for Parramatta have anointed Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman as the saviours who can finally put the Eels back in the NRL premiership mix.
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Eels fans have been forced to wait 32 years for another title. Since Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny led the club to glory in 1986, they've in fact endured the longest drought in the NRL.
But with an improving squad under coach Brad Arthur, the pair can see success looming again with Moses and Norman at the helm in their first full season together.
"I'm really excited about the pairing," Sterling said.
"They did a great job with Mitchell Moses coming across halfway through the season last year.
"So with that under their belt and another full off-season together their talent is obvious. I like the fact they're combining so well after such a short period of time."
Sterling and Kenny reunited on Friday for a benefit luncheon for the latter, as the former five-eighth remains positive in his fight against lymphoma cancer.
They'll also both feature on the trophy for Saturday night's historic Super League clash between Wigan and Hull in Wollongong, having played on opposing sides in the 1985 Challenge Cup final between the clubs.
But they are unified in their praise of Parramatta ahead of this season that will also see Jarryd Hayne return, with both admitting surprise at their rise into the top four in 2017.
"Expectations are high ... What that has done is raise the bar again this year," Sterling said.
"It's not just all about Jarryd. Jarryd comes back into a very strong line up now. We've got good depth there, recruitment has been good.
"We are strong off the field. (CEO) Bernie Gurr has been sensational in taking over. It's a strong looking Parramatta club.
"Competitions are tough to come by but we're right in the mix."
Sterling and Kenny are statistically Parramatta's greatest halves combination, winning 79 of 114 games started together as playmakers, including four grand finals.
Kenny can already see similarities in the Eels' newest pairing, particularly between Norman and Sterling.
"He seems to look around. He plays a lot like Sterlo was when he was playing," Kenny said.
"He would be looking at everything and directing the play. It wasn't unusual to see him on the open side and then shooting across to the blindside."
Australian Associated Press
