'Annoying' Brown eager to make up for lost time

An "annoying" Nathan Brown will return for Parramatta on Friday night but Eels coach Brad Arthur wants his enforcer to play with control after finally serving a two-week suspension.

Brown copped a two-week ban for a dangerous contact charge on Titans winger Dale Copley in round two after sliding in with his knees during a try-scoring play.

That proved the final round before the COVID-19 shutdown.

So, instead of resuming play with his teammates two weeks ago, Brown had to set his sights on the round five meeting with Penrith at Bankwest Stadium.

"I can't wait for him to get on the field because he's annoying," Arthur said on Thursday.

"He just wants to get out there and play, it's been a long time for him.

"He's just going to have to make sure he curbs that excitement that he's got because he's keen to get out there and make it up to the boys for missing those rounds through suspension.

"He's obviously going to be big for us."

While the focus in the latest Battle of the West clash has centred around Reagan Campbell-Gillard's reunion with his former club, Arthur said the Panthers were flying under the radar.

The Eels are aiming for their fifth consecutive win to start a season for just the third time in their history.

However, any talk of being labelled title contenders is just that, according to Arthur.

"The boys are in a good place that it's not a concern for them, we're just focused on repeating our effort and attitude every week," he said.

"We're still 16 rounds to go, things can change in a week in our game. I know there's a fair bit of talk about us but they're flying under the radar as well.

"If you look at it statistically, they're up there in key stats and are doing a really good job. They've beaten the Roosters and Newcastle are going well, they're form indicators are strong and they're playing good football. They get their game-controlling man [Nathan Cleary] back."

The club announced that approximately 420 seats will be available for major corporate partners, long term suite holders, life and long-tenured members.

"We can't wait to get a full house there but it's a good reward for loyal supporters of the Parramatta Eels and NRL," Arthur said.

"I think it's great for them … 500 probably doesn't make a great difference to us tomorrow night but it's a good reward for our most loyal supporters."