Makeshift Parramatta halfback Dylan Brown is refusing to change his game as the Eels seek to find a spark following a testing first outing without Mitchell Moses.
The long-term foot injury to Moses has meant that Brown is staring at up to eight weeks wearing the No.7 jersey alongside rookie five-eighth Blaize Talagi.
By his own admission, Brown didn't hit the high notes in Parramatta's 17-16 loss to West Tigers on Easter Monday and there were times he was caught out of position at vital stages of sets.
But the Kiwi international has vowed he won’t limit his desire to run the ball as Eels coach Brad Arthur takes his side to Canberra on Sunday.
"Brad has encouraged me to not worry and still play the way I play," Brown said.
"Gutho (Clint Gutherson) can kick over 50 metres but there’s certain parts of the game where (as a halfback) you’ve got to understand you have to be available for that kick on the fifth tackle.
"Mitch isn't there anymore but I'm enjoying the challenge."
Brown said the Eels (2-2) were guilty of failing to match the Tigers, who are reigning wooden spoon holders, for effort.
It was in stark contrast to the gutsy display Parramatta showed in pushing premiers Penrith to their limits in round two.
"Playing against Penrith we turn up with a different mentality and we should be doing that every single week," Brown said.
"It’s something that happens sometimes in a game of footy but you can't afford to do that.
"It just shows you can lose two points and every game is pretty important."
Brown is relishing the chance to put evergreen Canberra fullback and New Zealand teammate Jordan Rapana under pressure with his kicking game.
Brown claimed Rapana was 38 - he is 34 - and said the Raiders (2-2) would pose a challenge after last week’s capitulation against Cronulla earned a strong rebuke from coach Ricky Stuart.
"He (Rapana) has got an absolute dog’s body … we’ll throw some kicks up and chase them," Brown said.
"I don’t know how he keeps going, for a guy who eats meat pies for breakfast, I don’t know how he keeps turning up.
"It’ll be a good challenge to go against a 38-year-old … (at that age) I’ll be on a beach in Ibiza.
"They (the Raiders) are a team that will chase you all the way to the end, so every game we play against Canberra, especially in Canberra is tough and I expect to be pretty sore after the game."
