Having 15 players off-contract going into the season has proven to have played a positive role in Parramatta's resurgence this season.
Key players Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses came in motivated to play good footy and earned new deals, while a host of other players such as Tepai Moeroa (Waratahs) and Manu Ma’u (Hull FC) will move elsewhere.
Eels forward David Gower, who is off-contract himself but close to signing on for another season, told The Sydney Morning Herald that the majority of the team arrived at pre-season with a "hungry" attitude.
"In hindsight, having a lot of players off contract has been of benefit this season," Gower said. "For me, it’s just another year [being off contract], I’ve lived on that and it’s never been a problem, I’m happy to sing for my supper.
"But it was a new experience for a lot of our guys. We were under no illusions that if we didn’t perform we were going to be out of a job. Two [bad] years in a row, is there going to be another NRL club for you? Maybe not.
"Do you want to go overseas? Maybe, maybe not. There were a few guys who needed to take a long, hard look at themselves and re-evaluate where they were at as a player and a person, whether this life is for them.
"Luckily for us, the whole squad came back on November 1 very hungry and eager to work hard."
There are still a number of players whose future are up in the air, including Michael Jennings, Brad Takairangi, Josh Hoffman, Tim Mannah, Greg Leleisiuao, Ray Stone, Matt McIlwrick and Andrew Davey.
Gowers said it was important that the side rebounded from a disappointing 2018 season.
"I saw it through the pre-season last year, I felt we were a bit complacent," Gower said. "I felt that at times we were resting a little bit on finishing fourth and you can’t do that.
"Everyone just rolled into training on November 1, there were no complaints. We knew it was going to be hard, it was going to be hot, it was going to be tough, it was going to be long. Everyone ripped in with the right attitude."
