Former Parramatta halfback Brett Finch has doubts over the Eels’ premiership credentials this season, due to a lack of x-factor.
An impressive start to the season, capped off by wins over NRL heavyweights Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters have entrenched Parramatta in the top four with hopes of a home final.
Despite the squad’s progression and consistent finals appearances the previous two seasons, Finch stopped short of declaring the Eels a contender.
“I think that they’re a good team, they’re a good top four team,” Finch said on SEN’s NRL Crunch Time.
“(And) they’ve added pieces to the puzzle over the last few years.
“I just don’t know if they’ve got that Latrell-type player or a Papenhuyzen, so that x-factor that in those big games can just break it open with some individual play.”
Finch conceded the lack of x-factor was “the only knock on” Parramatta, who have been well lead by captain Clint Gutherson.
“He’s relentlessly on the ball (and) his energy is terrific,” Finch added.
Joel Caine questioned whether moving Gutherson to the halves would solve Parramatta’s 'x-factor' problem.
“I can’t see (Mitchell) Moses and (Dylan) Brown, who I rate both individually as players, but I can’t see them together taking a team to the premiership,” Caine said.
“I feel as though Parramatta needs to do what the Raiders did with Jack Wighton, and move Gutherson into the halves with Moses.
“But then you need a strike fullback, don’t you,” Caine added.
With playmaker Dylan Brown set to miss a few weeks to suspension, it’s a selection headache coach Brad Arthur will be looking to solve ahead of next Sunday’s match against the New Zealand Warriors.