Parramatta look set to be boosted by the inclusion of star halfback Mitchell Moses for Friday's semi-final against the Raiders after the playmaker was named in the number seven jersey on Tuesday.
Moses was unable to return from his head injury assessment in last Friday's Qualifying Final after running into a rampaging Viliame Kikau and was potentially in some doubt for the do-or-die clash against Canberra as a result.
However, with the 27-year-old named in the Eels team on Tuesday and providing a positive update on Monday, his chances of playing are growing stronger every day.
"I didn’t really have any symptoms," Moses told reporters on Monday. "I actually wanted to go back on the field but I couldn't. I remember the game and the incident and I didn’t have any headaches.
"I'll follow what the physios and doctors tell me to do but I feel good. I didn’t play the last 20 minutes so if anything my body feels fresher.
"This is my first concussion really so I'll take it day by day and the medical staff will tell me what I have to do."
Win or go home - Eels v Raiders
Moses' pending return is undoubtedly a boost for the Eels, who struggled in the second half against the Panthers with their high-profile number seven off the field.
With the game in the balance at 13-8 with 20 minutes to play, Parramatta a try within 60 seconds of Moses leaving the field and then another two minutes after that to find themselves out of the contest all together — leaving them needing to win games against the Raiders and Cowboys to earn their place in this year's decider.
Graham Annesley weekly football briefing - Finals Week 1
All eyes will certainly be on updates throughout the week as to Moses' availability, while Ryan Matterson's return to the starting side could also prove key after he was benched last week in favour of Kiwis international Marata Niukore.
Prior to last week's defeat, the Eels had won five of their past six matches in which Matterson was involved as an interchange player as opposed to two wins and two defeats in his last two games starting at lock.
Matterson's inclusion in the number 13 jersey does come as a contrast to that of the Raiders, however, who will be without their lock Adam Elliott after he suffered a pelvic injury against Melbourne on Saturday.
Elliott's exclusion is an underrated blow for the Green Machine after the 27-year-old's shift to lock coincided with an uptick in results for Ricky Stuart's side.
Having been used as a bench forward and then hooker, Elliott played back-to-back games in the Raiders number 13 jersey for the first time in Round 11 this year with 10 wins and just three defeats in games since then. He is replaced by Corey Harawira-Naera in the starting side while Ryan Sutton joins the bench.
Win or go home - Sharks v Rabbitohs
In this week's other semi-final Cronulla will field an unchanged lineup despite playing a mammoth 93 minutes against the Cowboys in their Preliminary Final, while South Sydney will make just one change after their win over the Roosters.
Thomas Burgess, who was charged with two seperate offences by the Match Review Committee, has accepted a two-game ban for his high shot on Matt Lodge and is replaced on the bench by Michael Chee Kam, who was activated as the 18th Man in last Sunday's fiery Sydney derby.
Click here to see the official team lists for this week's Semi Finals.