The Eels' reward for a top-four finish is an away clash with the Storm on Saturday night, a task most believe is beyond them. The blue and golds are one of only four teams to have defeated Melbourne this season, although the southerners were without their State of Origin stars at the time.

It will be Parramatta's first finals appearance since 2009, raising hopes the club could win its first premiership since Monie was at the helm in 1986. That side contained many of the best players of its generation including Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Mick Cronin, Eric Grothe and Steve Ella.

While Monie said the Storm are deserved title favourites, he believed the Eels were capable of staging an upset and going on to break a premiership drought stretching into a fourth decade.

"You have to have a very good team to get there," Monie told Fairfax Media.

"Melbourne have set a benchmark for a few years now but once you get into the big games in the top four you've got to produce it on the day.

"Parramatta is one of the teams that can.

"When you start the season you set out your team goals and the first one set is probably to finish in the top four. They've achieved that and put themselves in a good position.

"The good teams might have an off-day but not two in a row. So anyone who is a Parramatta supporter, you have to like their chances."

Monie, who had Sterling at halfback at his disposal, has been impressed by the man currently wearing the No.7 jersey. Mitchell Moses has made an immediate impact since switching from Wests Tigers, winning 11 of his 14 matches for his new club.

"It was a great buy for them," Monie said.

"He's a very good player. Being in those positions you've got to be a leader and step up. He's ready to do that.

"Every week in the NRL is a big week so you have to do whatever got you there. There's no need for him to try to do something that's not in your repertoire. You don't change your game, you don't try to do extra things. If it happens on the day and you pull something extra out, that's all well and good, but the first thing I used to tell the players is 'do what got us here'.

"Then if they have got a little bit extra, they can help their teammate."

Monie has also been impressed with the coach. Brad Arthur has been at the helm of the team during its most turbulent period, including the salary cap scandal that eliminated them from finals contention last year.

"He's been the steadying influence," Monie said.

"Privately he might get over-excited but generally he has been a good, calming influence on the team. He's got the fundamentals, everyone's fundamentals are good.

"A lot of those big games come out being great defensively and that's what they've got to do."

While Parramatta may never again boast as formidable a halves combination as Sterling and Kenny, current playmakers Moses and Corey Norman have struck up a fine combination in a short space of time. Monie said the pair's temperament will be put to the ultimate test in the weeks ahead.

"They are both competent players, they can play under pressure and find a pass under pressure," he said.

"It's easy enough doing everything at training but the hard part is doing it on the day under pressure.

"Simple tasks all of a sudden become a little harder."