Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson has been described as the "backbone" of the NRL side as his 100th game milestone looms.
Gutherson cracks the century mark almost seven years after making his first-grade debut at Manly, where he played just five games in three years.
However, the Sea Eagles junior has since established himself as one of the key pillars to a bright future under coach Brad Arthur.
"He's been a backbone of this team for a while now," Arthur said before his team's clash with North Queensland on Friday.
"So we need to make sure that we have a real good performance tomorrow."
The 25-year-old has led the Eels to the top of the table after seven rounds, which includes last week's game-winning field goal against Canberra.
It was the first field goal of Gutherson's career and came after Parramatta lost star halfback Mitchell Moses to a calf injury.
Gutherson also ranks first in the league in kick return metres (560m) and third in total runs (148) and metres (1453m).
"I know what you're going to get every week from him," Arthur said.
"He's going to be full of energy, he's going to be everywhere and he's going to work his backside off.
"Nothing's going to change.
"What's important for us is that the rest of us make sure we've all got the same mentality as Gutho this week."
Arthur avoided the temptation of switching Gutherson into the halves to replace Moses, with back-up playmaker Jai Field instead given an opportunity.
Arthur urged young five-eighth Dylan Brown to focus on his game rather than take on more responsibility in the absence of Moses.
"We don't want anyone to change how they're playing, in particular Dylan," he said.
"He had that opportunity when Mitchell went down for a couple of weeks there with training.
"I reckon that's helped with his performance over the last four weeks.
"He's averaging up over 55 touches a game.
"I think he had 61 on the weekend, so as long as he's getting his hands on the footy, he's still running the ball.
"I don't want him to go from being a runner to try and organise them and worry about everyone else."
Australian Associated Press
