The Parramatta Eels now have the longest-running premiership drought

With the Cronulla Sharks winning their first title in their history last month, a lot was said and written about the breaking of the league’s longest drought which spanned 50 years.

Two years earlier the South Sydney Rabbitohs won their first premiership in 43 years.

Last year the North Queensland Cowboys won their first premiership since being admitted to the competition in 1995, in the process breaking a drought of 21 years.

With all these droughts breaking, I took a look at the other clubs to see who now holds the record of the longest running drought.

Of the 16 current clubs it is the Parramatta Eels – who are currently enduring a 30 year premiership drought – that now hold the record recently vacated by Cronulla.

I have compiled a list of all the current clubs and their current drought tallies, and for league tragics like me it provides some interesting reading.

The following is a list of teams, the year they last won the premiership and the longest running droughts.

Sharks 2016 (0)
Cowboys 2015 (1)
Rabbitohs 2014 (2)
Roosters 2013 (3)
Storm 2012 (4)
Sea Eagles 2011 (5)
Dragons 2010 (6)
Broncos 2006 (10
Titans – (10)
Tigers 2005 (11)
Bulldogs 2004 (12)
Panthers 2003 (13)
Knights 2001 (15)
Raiders 1994 (22)
Warriors – (22)
Eels 1986 (30)

1. Cronulla Sharks
The previous record holders have now relinquished their title and can bask in premiership glory for the first time in 50 years

2. North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys broke a drought of 21 years in 2015 with their maiden premiership and with their current form and roster its likely it won’t be a long time until their next title.

3. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs are another team that recently broke a long term drought with their first premiership since 1971. Their form since suggests a slight hangover but their roster is still strong, so they should be in contention for the next few years.

4. Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are a competition heavyweight and are regularly in finals contention. Over the past decade their results have been very mixed with both good (2013) and bad (2009) results.

5. Melbourne Storm
Another regular finals contender, Melbourne have a very strong roster and coaching team, plus they are also one of the most consistent teams in the competition. Melbourne lost a final this year, but will be in contention again next year.

6. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly have won two titles in recent times, but have started to decline in the last two years. Some roster changes and some new exciting talent coming through offers some hope for more success.

7. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons last won the title in 2010 – the first title since the merger of the St George Dragons and the Illawarra Steelers in 1999. Prior to hat neither club had won a title since 1979 (STG) or 1982 (Ill) when Illawarra were admitted to the competition.

The club’s recent form has been patchy and they are now six years into a new drought.

8. Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos came close (one point) to breaking their current drought in 2015, but lost to the Cowboys in a thriller.

The Broncos are now ten years into the longest drought in the club’s history. A good young roster and good coaching means the Broncos will be challenging for a title in the next few years.

9. Gold Coast Titans
The Titans have never won a title and it has been ten years of inconsistency since they joined the competition. The recent signing of Jared Hayne and rookie Ash Taylor has given some renewed hope that the Titans may challenge in the next few years.

10. Wests Tigers
The Tigers haven’t won a title since 2005 which was the first win since the merger of the Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers in 1999.

Prior to that neither club had won since 1952 (Wests) or 1969 (Balmain). Recent form has been patchy and hasn’t been helped by off field power struggles between players and coaches and board factions. Exciting new talent is giving hope but it may be a few years before the Tigers are challenging.

11. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are currently 12 years into their latest drought, however they have recently lost two grand finals. Their current roster remains strong and their front office is one of the best, so fans have good reason to hope for a tile in the short term.

12. Penrith Panthers
The Panthers won their last title in 2003 at the time breaking a drought of 12 years. It has now been 13 years since that win.

Penrith always have plenty of talented juniors and if they can hold on to some of them they look promising in the next few years.

13. Newcastle Knights
The Knights are 15 years into their latest drought and given their performances this year look unlikely to challenge for a title anytime soon. Lots of young talent gives hope but it could be a while yet.

14. Canberra Raiders
A powerhouse club in the late 80s/early 90s, the Raiders have struggled since their glory days. The Raiders surprised a lot of people this year, going close to the grand final and could be a smokey in the next few years.

15. New Zealand Warriors
Title-less since joining the competition in 1995, the Warriors have struggled to consistently challenge for a title. The Warriors have an undeniably talented roster and a new coach so Warriors fans are again hoping that next year will be their year. They have lost two grand finals, one in 2002 and one in 2011.

16. Parramatta Eels
The new record holders for the ‘Longest Drought’. After dominating the early 80s, the 90s proved to be dark times for the Eels, but slowly they have come back and have been competitive over the last ten or so.

Recent head office dramas have held them back but they have a good coach and an improving roster. If their office/management can sort itself out they can challenge again.

I guess it’s a bit harsh to label the first seven teams on this list as being ‘in a drought’ as they have all tasted success in the last ten years, however those teams with double figure droughts can now be classed as suffering from a distinct lack of ‘recent’ title success.

Given the fairly recent success of most clubs, administrators will likely bleat on about how the salary cap is working and how even the competition is, but that will be cold comfort to Raiders, Warriors and Eels fans.

With three teams currently enduring droughts of over 20 years, who will be the next team to taste overdue glory?