Former Parramatta star Daniel Mortimer has backed the Eels to break a 34-year premiership drought in 2020.
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The Orange CYMS captain-coach says a shortened NRL season, along with the fact the Eels are able to continue to play at their home ground at Bankwest Stadium, will help the blue and golds make a run at the title.
Mortimer ran out at five-eighth the last time the Eels made the NRL grand final in 2009, so he knows just how heavy the weight of expectation is at Parramatta.
Despite Jarryd Hayne's out-of-body form that season, the Eels went down to Melbourne in the decider, meaning the wait for the club's first crown since 1986 continues.
But on the back of a strong pack and, Mortimer says, the continued improvement of star half Mitch Moses, this year can be the Eels'.
"I think Parra can do well this year," Mortimer said, the Eels two wins from their opening two games back at the start of March.
"They're on top now and they have the benefit of playing at their home stadium.
"There won't be a home crowd, but as a player I'd still rather play at a place I'm familiar with."
I remember 2009 and the Eels fans support you in a big way.
- Orange CYMS skipper Daniel Mortimer
He says even though there won't be fans in the stands, if the Eels continue to win the players will still feel a groundswell of support from the western Sydney powerhouse's supporters.
"I remember 2009 and they support you in a big way," he said.
"It's been such a long time since they've had that winning feeling, when a team starts to go well you feel like you're carrying the hopes of a lot of people."
The 2020 NRL season resumes on Thursday night when the Eels tackle the also-unbeaten Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The Brisbane side is another Mortimer says is primed to make a run at the title, while a side led by one of his former teammates could be a darkhorse.
"I like the Knights, (Mitch) Pearce too," he added, Pearce and Mortimer both at the Roosters when the tri-colours won the 2013 title.
"I think they can push for the grand final. If they can keep a healthy team on the paddock, and if Pearce and (Kalyn) Ponga stay on the field they can make a grand final."
Mortimer, now 30, played nearly 150 top grade games in the NRL and England before returning home to Orange to coach CYMS in 2020.
He debuted in the NRL in '09 and played all of his time in the National Rugby League under the two referee-system.
He says a switch back to one referee will be an interesting move, but doesn't think it'll have the desire effect and speed up the game.
Still, the former Eel, Rooster and Gold Coast Titan is thrilled to have rugby league back - and being a trail-blazer in this coronavirus impacted year for all sports world-wide.
"They've done a great job to be the first professional sport to get back, it's a massive wrap for Peter V'landys, he's been a real leader in the sporting community," Mortimer added.
"Everyone's excited."
The two-time grand final player says he still has a soft spot for the clubs he used to play for, but only really enjoys the footy as a fan three times a year.
"The only team I watch as a fan is the Blues. That's when I scream at the TV," he laughed.
"It'll definitely be different, this year. No player has ever gone through what these guys are about to.
"Like any year, the team that adapts best will be the team that does well.
"The no-crowd thing is across the board. It will be tough. The adrenaline rush and noise of the crowd definitely gets you up in those big moments.
"You rely on adrenaline of the crowd. I think in some cases, it'll feel like a training run. Come finals time if no crowds that's when it'll get tough for players."
With that in mind, Mortimer added teams like Raiders and Warriors, and the eastern suburbs-based clubs like the Roosters and Souths to a lesser extent, will battle to overcome regular away trips to centralised locations like Campbelltown and Bankwest.
Parramatta and Brisbane kick the 2020 season off again from 7.50pm on Thursday night.
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