PARRAMATTA halfback Jeff Robson has dismissed suggestions the club might start the upcoming NRL season with a 2009 hangover, after the club became the Cinderella story of the year with its late-season charge to the grand final.

At the half-way mark of the competition few gave the Eels any chance of making the top eight, much less the decider.

But with Barellan-born Robson calling the shots in the vital playmaker position the blue and gold army rode a wave of momentum into the grand final against the Melbourne Storm.

Despite the golden run, Robson said his teammates were not resting on the success of 2009 and aimed to live up to the high expectations many in the rugby league world have, with bookies installing the Eels as pre-season favourites to win the title.

"We only lost a couple of players from last year and the new boys have slotted in really well and we've been training well as a team, and hopefully I can retain my starting position at halfback because Kris Keating is back, so I don't think I have the spot to just walk into," Robson said.

"Hopefully I can get the starting position to begin with and retain it, hopefully things work out during pre-season and I get to retain my place."

Keating's absence for much of last season due to a broken jaw allowed Robson to put a mortgage on the halfback spot, with his combination with rookie sensation Daniel Mortimer a large reason for their charge into the finals.

Robson said his halves partner was also well aware the scrutiny would be much harsher on the pair this season, especially given Mortimer has already shown to be a match winner at the tender age of 20.

"Daniel (Anderson) said to me he wants us (Robson and Mortimer) to hit the ground running this season so he's adjusted the training schedule to lighten off a bit when we start playing our trials so we're ready to go when the season kicks off," Robson said.

Adding considerable firepower to the already potent Parramatta line-up are off-season recruits Shane Shackelton, Justin Poore and dual-international Timana Tahu, who Robson said is ready to once again dominate the NRL.