Eels looking like 06 Tigers

Parramatta's late season surge is taking on a similar look to the Wests Tigers' charge to the 2005 NRL premiership.

And with prop Fuifui Moimoi's acceptance of a seven-match ban for his high shot on Manly's Brent Kite adding to the decimation of the Eels' front row stocks, the side may have to resort to some Tigers-like tactics to keep their finals dream alive.

Parramatta forward Dean Widders said Moimoi's suspension would likely force the ninth-placed Eels to play a more expansive game in the final five rounds of the regular season.

"We might have to try a different style of play from now on, and throw the ball around a little bit more, which is what the Tigers did last year, to try and cover his loss," said Widders.

Moimoi joins fellow props Aaron Cannings (shoulder), Michael Vella (ankle), Adam Peek (cheek), Justin Tsoulos (shoulder) and Paul Stringer (retired, neck injury) on the sidelines, with skipper Nathan Cayless the only recognised prop still fit and available.

Moimoi also missed the end of last season - when the Eels finished minor premiers but crashed out in the preliminary final - because of a nine-match ban.

Widders admitted Moimoi's loss probably "torpedoed" the Eels' premiership hopes last year.
"Hopefully we've learnt a bit from last year and can do a bit better, but in losing a player of that calibre, the truth is you can't replace him," Widders said.

Last year the Tigers stormed home in the regular season before defying the odds to lift the NRL premiership. Considered 150-1 no-hopers after slumping to 12th on the ladder in round 15, the Tigers - playing an irresistible style of attacking football - won 12 of their last 14 matches, including a club-record eight straight, to claim the title after finishing the minor premiership in fourth.

Parramatta also kickstarted its dramatic season-revival in round 15 this year, winning its past six games to jump from second-last to the edge of the eight.

Scott Prince, the Tigers' captain in 2005, said the Eels were giving him flashbacks.

"They're playing really well," Prince said.

"Their scramble defence really won them that game (against Manly) towards the end of the game.

"They worked hard for one another and once you've got that self-belief and the faith with the guy inside and outside you in defence it's very hard to lose."

Widders, though, believes the path ahead for the Eels is far more treacherous than what the Tigers faced in 2005.

"There's a huge difference, last year when the Tigers had their run they had all their players available and everyone to choose from," he said.

"We've got about 10 blokes out injured ... (we're) still walking the tightrope because it could all go wrong at any minute."

Meanwhile, the Eels have announced Ian Hindmarsh, the brother of Test star Nathan, will return to the club on a one-year deal after stints with Canberra and English Super League club Les Catalans.

Chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said reuniting the brothers "wasn't any deciding factor".

"It was a matter that he's a good player and he knows the Parramatta set-up and he always gives 100 percent every game," he said.