It was time, says Parramatta star Krisnan Inu, to shut everyone up.

Re-signed as one of the hottest properties in the game after a sensational debut season in 2007, Inu fell victim to second-year syndrome in an injury-marred follow-up campaign.

Then things got even worse in 2009.

The 22-year-old found himself playing for NSW Cup side Wentworthville following the Eels' 48-18 capitulation to the Bulldogs in round six, a performance which caused new coach Daniel Anderson to question his players' pride.

It was a jolt for Inu, who will line up at centre for Parramatta in Sunday's grand final against Melbourne, after he had vowed to turn his form around.

"I just had a goal set for myself by our trainer Hayden Knowles," Inu said.

"He just said `if you really want to shut everyone up, just prove to them that you really want to be out there and play'.

"He said `just show everyone that you really want it', so it was just one of those goals that I really wanted to do and to show everyone that I still wanted to play for the blue and gold."

The Kiwi international says he had a point to prove to his critics.

"Definitely. Not only that, but to myself. I thought I wasn't playing as well as I could have," he said.

Inu's turnaround looked to be complete when he returned from a hamstring injury to star, alongside winger Luke Burt, in last Friday's epic preliminary final win over the Bulldogs.

"That would probably be his best game," Burt said.

"He's come along in leaps and bounds with his consistency, he's been great.

"You see what he does to people - he's big, he's strong and his footwork's unbelievable."

A devout Mormon, Inu is modest about the ease with which he slipped back into the Eels juggernaut.

"I thought I was a bit crusty at the start," he said.

"As a team it was probably one of my best and to have the support of the other players, especially Burty on my outside, he's always in my ear and I'm always grateful for that and he always helps me along every game."

With all the attention on the Storm's left centre, Greg Inglis, Inu expects opposite number Will Chambers to fly under the radar at the ANZ Stadium decider.

"He's a bit underrated," Inu said.

"He's played a lot of rep footy growing up and played a lot of NRL games and I think, because all the attention goes to Greg, he's been sliding under the carpet a bit.

"But he's a great player and he's someone else to watch out for."

The trademark smile as he lined up a kick for goal may be gone, but Inu won't be able to hide his glee at playing a grand final - and silencing his detractors.

"I'll be smiling on the field somewhere," he said.

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