Eels pin hopes on Joey's magic

PARRAMATTA have their eyes set on an NRL premiership, banking that one-on-one coaching from the game's greatest halfback will add to their sparkling attack in 2008.

The Eels lost to eventual premiers Melbourne in the 2007 preliminary final.

But despite being one week shy of the grand final, Parramatta's maligned halves were criticised for most of the year.

Brett Finch and Tim Smith are perhaps the NRL's two most critiqued players, but Eels coach Michael Hagan is confident direct tutelage from Andrew Johns will take both their games to the next level.

And that's a serious concern for the rest of the NRL, with the Eels shaping as early contenders for next year's premiership.

"For our attacking game, (Johns) will add a lot to what we can do," said Hagan, whose Eels were ranked sixth in the NRL for tries scored in 2007.

"It's an opportunity for them to improve as players.

"In the end, they (Finch and Smith) got our team to within a week of the grand final. I didn't really agree with the criticism they copped at different times of the year.

"They're going to be very good for us this year and I think Feleti Mateo will probably come in and play a bit of six (five-eighth) at times this year.

"The reason (Johns) is coming is to improve the individuals and the team and that's the motive and what he wants to do."

Finch has no doubts Johns could be the final piece in the puzzle for Parramatta to improve on their 2007 efforts.

"Well, that's what we're paying him for," said Finch when asked if Johns could help the Eels win a premiership.

"We weren't too far away last year and we got criticised but we certainly put up a great fight to Melbourne who ended up winning the grand final in a canter.

"So we're very confident with the team we've got here.

"We lose a couple of important guys like Timana (Tahu) and Ian Hindmarsh but certainly with Joey's help I know our game is going to get a lot better and hopefully that will help us in the long run."

Johns started his first session at Parramatta today with some "reasonably basic" training drills among the group of six halves, which included backrower Mateo.

Hooker Mark Riddell and fullback Luke Burt will also join the group during the year with Johns to conduct weekly sessions at the Eels.

But Smith and Finch aren't expecting an overhaul of Parramatta's freeflowing football, rather polish added to their sometimes erratic displays.

"It's just the finer details he used to carve out such a great career, just a little polish," Finch said.

"It was pretty basic today but as the weeks go on I'm sure we'll go down the track further."

Smith, who along with Johns is one of the best exponents of the banana kick, says trickery won't be part of their practice sessions.

"We'll just worry about the simple stuff. If you ask him he will tell you the simple stuff wins games,"Smith said.

"He is a great player and you just want to learn from him.

"What he did in the game on the footy field was remarkable and he will be a big influence on us, especially the halves."