Eels mid-season recruit Jeff Robson had no time for hesitation when signing with his old club as Parramatta only came to the table just 24 hours before the NRL's June 30 transfer deadline.
Robson last played for the Eels in 2011 – when current coach Brad Arthur was serving his time as an assistant to Stephen Kearney – and said Parramatta's recent troubles didn't perturb him from joining the club.
The 33-year-old only secured his release from the New Zealand Warriors on June 27, and with only two days up his sleeve to sort his affairs out, time was of the essence.
With his family at home back in Sydney, Robson decided it was for the best to return and look for a start elsewhere.
"Coming back to Parramatta popped up at the last moment. I was handed the release on the Monday and June 30 was on Thursday so I was like 'wow'," Robson said.
"I flew back late on the Wednesday and I spoke to my manager as soon as I flew in and he told me Parramatta were pretty keen.
"I told him I'd be glad to be back there at my old club under Brad. I played all my junior footy here so I know what the club was like. I didn't have time to hesitate over the decision though either," he added.
"To be honest it wouldn't have changed my decision either way. I love this club and I was happy to come back when the opportunity arose."
Robson has been thrown into the deep end since his arrival at the Eels with Kieran Foran out for the season and a suspension hanging over Corey Norman's head.
What has helped though is the host of players he's familiar with currently at the club, including former Sharks teammates Michael Gordon and Issac De Gois.
"I knew the core group of guys so that made my decision obviously – although I had a short time frame to make it – it made it easier knowing that I knew a few people here," Robson said.
"Rugby league is a funny game, isn't it? It's a bit of a merry-go-round in some respects.
"I enjoy playing footy with those boys but it's a tough ask to win seven straight so we'll see what happens. It would be great for the club to pull off a miracle somehow."
Retirement isn't a word Robson is throwing around too much either, despite that being his intention when he initially signed with the Warriors for the year.
"I'm just going to enjoy the next seven weeks and see what happens," he said. "I'm not sure if Parramatta is an option. I'm just playing it by ear. I'll be hopefully trotting around somewhere."
