Joey Lussick believes he can push out to become a regular 80-minute hooker at Parramatta this season, after starring in the club's first-up win over Canterbury.
Lussick was one of the Eels' best in Saturday night's 26-8 win, kicking a 40-20 out of dummy-half and putting Bryce Cartwright through a gaping hole for one try.
An 80-minute hooker when he returned from the English Super League to the Eels midway through last year, Lussick was spelled by Brendan Hands late on Saturday.
Coach Brad Arthur had suggested during the summer he wanted to play only one hooker, before following the grain in round one and playing Hands on the bench.
In the first seven games of round one, only Damien Cook, Blayke Brailey and Reed Mahoney acted as 80-minute hookers.
But Lussick said he felt comfortable taking on the 80-minute role through the year if asked.
"Definitely, as the year goes on (I'd like to)," Lussick told AAP.
"It always chops and changes depending on the game. I've personally always preferred to play bigger minutes. That suits my game.
"When I came back last year, I was playing for 80 minutes. We just do whatever is best for the team.
"If Brad wants to run with one for 80, or he wants to run with two, we're happy with that. The team is always first and that's what we're all about."
Previously an Eel for nine games in 2021, Lussick believes he has benefited from having a full pre-season alongside the rest of the Parramatta spine and edges.
"It's never easy coming straight in halfway through the season, switching comps," Lussick said.
"I was lucky to be here two years before that, which helped a lot.
"But you look at this team, there's some absolute wonderful players ... my role is really simple
"Brad just said to me: 'Don't underplay, but don't overplay at the same time. If the opportunity presents itself, back yourself, but also service the players around you'."
Parramatta's bench make-up will look different this year, with Arthur indicating he wants to play either Junior Paulo or Reagan Campbell-Gillard off the bench.
Paulo played that role on Saturday, giving the Eels punch before halftime in a period where the team have traditionally dropped off.
"I'm really happy with Junior's selflessness," Arthur said.
"He's a very, very good front-rower and he'd love to start, but I think at the moment that suited the team coming off the bench.
"At some stage 'Reg' might need to come off the bench, but I'll take it week by week."
