Will Hopoate is poised to extend his stay at Parramatta for a further three seasons in a huge boost ahead of the Easter Monday blockbuster against Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
And the Eels aren't about to close the cheque book anytime soon, with the club in the mix for the signature of another NSW representative, Knights forward Beau Scott.
Hopoate's management has been in negotiations with the Eels for several weeks and it's hoped his re-signing until the end of 2018 could be announced by the end of the week.
The Blues star, in the final year of a $1.5 million, two-year deal, is enjoying his time under coach Brad Arthur and has opted not to test his value on the open market. The result is a pay cut to remain at a club, which signed him before his Mormon mission and will welcome his former Manly teammate Kieran Foran next year.
Hopoate has shown promising signs at fullback since filling the void left by the departure of Jarryd Hayne to pursue his NRL dream.
"He's been very impressive, he's worked his butt off over the pre-season," Eels centre Ryan Morgan said during a promotional visit to the Royal Easter Show on Wednesday.
"I wish everyone could see how hard he's worked on that position, it's really showing for him.
"His positional play and the way he's attacking out the back, he looks like someone who has played 100 games at the back there. He's doing really well for us."
However, it's likely Hopoate will slot back into the centres next season as part of a reshuffle of the Eels line-up for 2016. Foran will play pivot in a move that is likely to push current No.6 Corey Norman back to fullback. The Eels are hoping to retain another off-contract Eel, Chris Sandow, so that he can link with Foran in the halves.
While there has been speculation about Norman's future, the Eels are pleased with his early-season form and they are hoping he too will remain long term.
Many pundits expected the Eels to struggle following the loss of Dally M medallist Hayne, but Hopoate has been solid at the back. Since making the switch to fullback, Hopoate has had 95 possessions, made 569 metres and thrown 30 passes. While he struggled to defuse a couple of bombs against South Sydney last Friday, his error count is otherwise low.
"Hopefully he's with us next year, that would be great," Morgan said.
The Eels aren't content to just lock up their existing roster and are looking for more big-name recruits.
Scott is a player of interest after Fairfax Media revealed he has a get-out clause in his contract to explore his options for personal reasons. Scott has fielded interest from several suitors, including Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra, the latter the club he won a breakthrough premiership with under Wayne Bennett.
Scott had a deadline of April 1 to make a call on his future, but it's understood Newcastle officials are aware of his personal circumstances and will give him more time if required.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley indicated on Wednesday Scott had not approached him asking to activate a get-out clause in his contract. Gidley said deadlines were not a factor for any player with legitimate grounds to seek compassionate leave.
"As I've said previously, if any of our players have got genuine cases where there's a compassion issue, and that goes for every club, you'll do all you can in your power as a club to support your players and work through those matters because your family comes first," Gidley said.
"From our point of view, we'll continue to do that in Beau's case and we've been doing that for over 12 months now."
The Eels, who pursued Scott the last time he was on the open market, are keen to to add him to an already imposing pack which features Anthony Watmough, Tepai Moeroa, Manu Ma'u, Tim Mannah, Joseph Paulo and Danny Wicks.
Should they get their man, the Eels will be one of the favourites for the 2016 premiership following the poaching of Foran from arch rivals Manly.
