It is the ultimate clash of new and old that Mitchell Moses is hoping will put him on the path to breaking one of the NRL's longest-running curses.
Moses will spearhead the Eels for their first clash against former playmaker Kieran Foran since he walked out on Parramatta midway through last season.
Foran was considered to be the Eels' saviour when he signed from rivals Manly before the 2016 season.
His Parramatta stint last just nine games, before a shoulder injury and personal issues forced him out of the sport.
Moses is relishing the chance to get a marker of himself at his new club against Foran and the Warriors on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
No less than 35 players have donned the jumper since Peter Sterling's retirement in 1992 - with the Eels legend the last to have guided them to a title in 1986.
Ten men have also played halfback for the Eels since they last made the finals in 2009 - the longest current drought in the NRL.
Foran was considered the best of those when he arrived last year, however Moses is far more bullish about the curse and his desire to obliterate it.
"I hope (to beat it) - it's a good challenge," he said.
"I've been brought here in the No.7 jersey and I'm going to take a lot more control in the game and focus on my kicking and running game."
Friday night's clash is the next step in doing that.
Moses has made no secret of his desire to play semi-final football since his arrival at Parramatta, and the Eels are precariously placed at ninth and 6-6 midway through the season.
They have an Origin period which sees them play both Melbourne and St George Illawarra without their representative stars, allowing them to make their mark at the bottom of the eight.
They have also received good news in the form of Corey Norman running at training, meaning he could pair with Moses in the halves as soon as soon as Saturday week against North Queensland.
Moses reiterated on Tuesday he had moved on from his controversial exit from the Tigers and was ready to take the Eels back to the finals.
"My full focus is Parramatta right now," he said.
"I'm here now and I'm focused on playing semi-final footy right here."
©AAP2017
Read more at http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/05/31/03/34/moses-ready-to-take-down-foran-for-eels#qWDi2MVo6UCiCa7E.99
Replies
Moses has been anointed with the sacred oils of the West Tiger making him free from being possessed by the Sterling curse.