Parramatta impact player Tim Mannah has revealed he's aiming to re-invent himself as a starting front rower in the NRL next season.

In just his second year of first grade, the 22-year-old has perfected the art of adding impetus off the bench, even cracking it for a State of Origin debut with NSW in game three as a result.

But with club co-captain and former New Zealand international Nathan Cayless finally hanging up the boots at season's end, Mannah is eyeing an opportunity to force his way into the run-on side.

With every lift he gives his team-mates off the interchange leading into the finals, Mannah is determined to prove his starting worth to coach Daniel Anderson.

"Yeah, definitely I think every player in the comp wants to be a starting player and I've got a lot of respect for the starting front rowers at the moment," said Mannah, who would likely compete with Justin Poore for a starting jersey.

"Caylo is leaving next year so there is a spot there and it would be great to be there one day.

"I got a lot of confidence out of the big games towards the back end of last year and Dan Anderson has been really good for me and I've drawn a lot of confidence out of playing under him so he's been great.

"We've got a good work ethic going on with the forwards, we're all working for each other which is always a good sign attitude wise."

Mannah has a simple yet overly-humble explanation for how he's been able to avoid the dreaded second-year syndrome which typically plagues young players.

"I think it's only the toughest when you've had a great first year, so lucky I didn't have a massive first year. It's worked out alright, that's how you do it," joked Mannah, who is excelling in an art-form most big men take years to master.

Mannah is adamant the Eels' finals bubble hasn't burst in this campaign, as they prepare for their must-win clash against Gold Coast on Friday night.

As Parramatta began to get on a roll similar to the one which carried them through to last year's grand final, Mannah admits there was an element of shock to their crushing defeat to the Roosters last week.

However the NSW Origin representative said despite the 48-12 loss, confidence is still high at the Eels.

"No it's funny, you'd think it would have been lost a bit but I think with the attitude we've got at training everyone's remaining positive which is a great thing," Mannah told AAP.

"We had a hiccup on the weekend but other than that, attitude wise everyone's been great.

"We know we're not too far off where we want to be and come Friday night we've got a big game on our hands.

"We came up against a really hot side in the Roosters and we're the kind of team that can hopefully bounce back against a good side like the Titans."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP