Dyldam Parramatta Eels co-captain Tim Mannah says the Brisbane Broncos will be a big test for the improving Blue and Gold side on Friday night.
That test will only be magnified with the return of Test and Origin centre Justin Hodges.
"Out of the first four weeks they’ve definitely been the team that’s really stood up and shined," Mannah said.
"Justin has a huge impact for the team and he’s going be an important player for them."
"For us it makes our task a bit harder going up there, but I'm sure we’ll have everyone ready to go."
In Mannah's own side, there's a trio of Queenslanders making their mark in attack: five-eighth Corey Norman, and the two Cherbourg juniors, halfback Chris Sandow and centre Willie Tonga.
"It’s exciting for us to have so much strike in our back line this year," Mannah said.
"[Chris and Corey] are both bringing a lot to the table and they’re both different sorts of players."
"And you can even look out wider, guys like Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, and obviously Jarryd Hayne: they've been great for us."
"Then the old Cherbourg boys they’re both great characters."
"Willie’s grown into a great leader, and he's been awesome for us this year."
"We’re a new team with a new mentality. We’re not focussing on anything that happened in the past and we’re not looking too much into the future either."
"We're just worried about playing each game as it comes and that starts tomorrow night."
The Dyldam Parramatta Eels take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, with NRL kick-off at 7.40pm local time.
