Parramatta's second-phase play has emerged as potentially one of the most crucial aspects of the grand final, with the Eels determined not to go into their shell on the big stage.
An analysis of NRL data shows the Eels have this season offloaded more than any other team in the past seven years, averaging no fewer than 14 per game.
Penrith put a significant emphasis on that aspect of the Eels' play headed into the opening week of the finals, making no secret of their desire to shut it down.
In the first two meetings between the two teams this year, Parramatta set up three tries via offloads, of which they totalled 35 across the two wins.
That number was significantly dented in Penrith's qualifying-final victory, with the Eels limited to only 11 as second-rower Shaun Lane, in particular, failed to get any away.
Lane is ordinarily one of the Eels' chief offloaders, with his ball to put Maika Sivo over for the match-winning try in the preliminary final against North Queensland a fine example.
Junior Paulo and Ryan Matterson have each thrown 45 this season, while Lane and Clint Gutherson have 38, and Isaiah Papali'i and Will Penisini 33.
"It's the way the game has gone. It's really quick and agile players can get more offloads," Matterson said.
"We've always talked about backing our ability and that's something - ball handling - that we are good at as a group.
"It's about pushing off the ball, and a lot of the top sides support each other when people are looking to offload."
Lane's numbers are the most notable, with the Eels' second-rower now on the cusp of a potential World Cup berth.
He threw only 13 last year in any part of the game, but has this season set up eight tries from offloads alone.
The second-rower claimed that was as much about the confidence he was hitting the line with than a change in tactics or approach, having long shown a willingness to unload.
"If you look at how I offload the ball, it's through the line after poking my nose through," Lane told AAP.
"It's not really some of the offloads that the other players might throw where they've got three players on them and they shrug someone off.
"It's just kind of the way that I play and the opportunities that are presented this year.
"I'm poking my nose through a little bit more and being put into space a little bit more and the offload comes off the back of that."
Parramatta players were back at training on Wednesday for one of their main pre-grand final field sessions, this time without the fanfare that dominated their opening practice of the week.
