Dylan Brown credits Parramatta's back-up brigade with hardening the NRL team's "fight to the death" mentality by ripping into scrimmage sessions.
The third-placed Eels' newfound grittiness has been on display over the past two rounds as they secured two-point wins against the Bulldogs and Sharks despite being below their best.
Five-eighth Brown, the stand-out in last week's win, said coach Brad Arthur and the club's leadership group are major reasons why Parramatta have been able to scrap out victories.
He also had high praise for the reserves, who are treating scrimmage like the real deal because they don't have matches to play with the Canterbury Cup cancelled due to COVID-19.
"If they're not giving us a good go, they're beating us at training. They're preparing us for the worst," Brown said.
"They're just keeping up that attitude where we've got to fight to the death. They're competing for positions."
Eels v Dragons - Round 14
Brown said the intensity had increased with those not selected in the NRL squad using training as a chance to press their claims.
He pointed to young prop Oregon Kaufusi, who has been in and out of the first-grade side, as evidence that "the boys are always ready".
"They're always trying their hardest but this year I think it's just that extra boost because they don't have any footy and training is their footy. They're doing a very good job helping us get ready."
Hooker Reed Mahoney agreed that Parramatta's strong form goes beyond the core group of players wearing the jersey each week.
"The boys that aren't playing, when they train against us they're training really well, preparing us the best that we can," he said.
"Us winning on the football field is from everyone at training doing their part, whether you're playing or not. They're doing a really good job of keeping us honest and throwing some really good shape at us.
"That's the good thing here at Parramatta, everything's competitive and everyone wants to be in the team. I think that's the reason why the club's going so well. We've got that depth."
