Parramatta coach Brad Arthur insists his team can go all the way and win the NRL grand final and it is the look in his players' eyes over the last six weeks that has convinced him.
The Eels beat North Queensland 24-20 in Townsville in the preliminary final to advance to a grand final showdown with either Penrith or South Sydney.
Arthur is convinced their best football will be good enough.
"I know we've got a footy team in there and if they front-load their effort and play for each other I think our footy is good, and good enough to win," Arthur said.
Since a disappointing round 21 loss to South Sydney the Eels have only lost one game, to defending premiers Penrith.
It was the want and desire of his players to defend their tryline and put their bodies on the line when the Cowboys tried to steal the match at the death that had the coach buoyed.
"We wanted it really bad. You could see that," Arthur said.
"I've seen it in their eyes since the (42-6) win over the Bulldogs in round 22.
"The players did it, not me. They got together and had some real honest conversations about turning up every week regardless of how they feel.
"That was the mentality we took when we got up here. Just get on a plane, get up here and get the job done. That's what we did."
Arthur is well aware the Eels faithful have been waiting 36 years for the side to win another comp.
"I know they have been waiting a while and (making the grand final) is a reward for them supporting our team," Arthur said.
"But we've still got 80 minutes of a lifetime, you know, so it's a real opportunity for us next week. And that's all we're worried about at the moment."
Arthur was in awe of half Mitchell Moses who he said "made a massive sacrifice for his teammates" by missing the birth of his daughter to play on Friday night.
"We got on the plane yesterday. (Moses's partner) Bri was close the other day. I spoke to him today and I said, 'Mate, we'll send you home'," Arthur revealed.
"I don't want to be rude because the birth of his new daughter is so important to him and his family, but the other part of his family is his mates. At least we made sure the sacrifice he made was worth it."
