WHO'S NEW: Joe Galuvao (Souths).

WHO'S GONE: Aaron Cannings (Titans) Richard Fa'aoso (Knights) Blake Green (Cronulla) PJ Marsh (Broncos), Timana Tahu (union, Waratahs), Justin Tsoulos (Bulldogs) and Ian Hindmarsh (retired).

BIGGEST QUESTION: We all know who runs the Eels around the paddock. Tim Smith, simple. The big question is who's driving Smith around the paddock. In fact it's not so much on the paddock but off it that will decide the Eels' fate this season. Sure, Smith has the odd brain explosion when faced with a crowded defensive line. Sure, he can go missing in the trenches or butcher the crucial last-tackle play. But he's still Parramatta's best option behind the steering wheel if he can exorcise his demons, start listening to the milk-and-cookies voices in his head and shut out the one whispering, "It's beer o'clock".

JOB SEEKERS: With former coach Brian Smith a long way away, Feleti Mateo holds his own future in his hand - just the same way as he mitts the footy. Mateo has the talent and the frame to be anything. We've seen his stride, his reach and his ability to beat a tackle on the outside. There's more to come and, with Tim Smith not due back on the pitch until a few weeks into the competition, Mateo will start at five-eighth and get his chance. Souths couldn't get their money worth out of big Joe: if coach Michael Hagan can, Galuvao can cause plenty of problems.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Jarryd Hayne and Krisnan Inu. Hayne, rookie of the year in 2006, and Inu, runner-up for the same award last season, will find the going a little tougher when they start 2008 closer to the action. Picked in the centres, these two have enough talent to star anywhere, although they may miss the space the flanks offered. Another to watch is Mark Riddell, with the burly hooker now a svelte 98kg, down from 107 kg last season.

REASONS TO BE EXCITED: Manly might be the club thinking, 'Let's go one better this year', but if truth be told, the Eels pushed Melbourne a lot harder - in both their final and round 23 clash, despite losing both. With big forwards able to bash the pill over the line (Fuifui Moimoi and Nathan Cayless), backed by workhorses such as Josh Cordoba, Chad Robinson and Nathan Hindmarsh, Parramatta can lay the requisite platform for the show-offs in the back line to do what they do best.

REASONS TO BE WORRIED: Apart from Smith, the other designated driver is Brett Finch, just about the most maligned half in the game. Hagan picked him up after Ricky Stuart had played havoc with his mental state at the Roosters and the softly, softly approach worked wonders. There's a lot on his shoulders, a burden that could become unbearable should Smith not stick to the warm milk.