Parramatta Eels fans have told us it’s their year more times than I can count, though their premiership drought is now in its 36th season, the current longest in the NRL.
Parramatta are currently off to a 2-1 start and just defeated Melbourne, who are arguably the benchmark team in the league. This may be the year they lift that premiership trophy for the first time since 1986.
The Eels look sharp and their recent win might be the largest statement from any side so far this season.
Their attack has been strong as they have strike players all around the park, and ball players who can provide. They are high in most positive attacking stats, including second in points, second in possession percentage, and first in completion rates.
The Eels’ only loss came against the Sharks, in Round 2, via a game-winning conversion. This means that they were only two points away from having a perfect 3-0 record to begin their campaign.
Their extra-time win against the Storm was one for the ages as Ray Stone scored the match-winning try next to the posts, after a Mitchell Moses field-goal attempt. However, Stone unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury which will certainly earn a salute for Paramattas fans and likely a starting 13 role at the Dolphins next year.
Their defence hasn’t been anything too special, as they are on average conceding 23 points, although you’d expect this number from most teams who played three of the top-eight teams from the previous year.
Dylan Brown has looked superb, currently third in try-assists, and he seems to really fit his role well.
To sum it up, each Eel has shown their best and the side has executed their game plan.
One of the most talked-about topics by rugby league fans right now is whether this is Parra’s time, with many describing 2022 as the final season before their window closes because of the key individuals they will lose from 2023.
But while I don’t think this is their last shot in a while, as they still have quality players at the club, I don’t have them as the team to lift the Provan-Summons Trophy.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
2020 they started 11/13 (in a year that only had 20 rounds), 2021 they started 12/15. So here they are 3/4. Definitely lots of water under the bridge to know if this year is any different. They remind me of the pace car at a racetrack. Always leading until the real race starts.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
Parramatta haven't won a premiership since 1986 (which was used to be called the NSWRL). In 1998 Preliminary Final, Parra lead the Doggies 18-2 with less than 10 minutes of play remaining and the match went into extra time. The Doggies went on to win the Prelim Final. In 1999 Preliminary Final, Parra lead the storm 16-0 at half time and went on to lose the match with no points scored. In the 2001 NRL GF, the Parra tried to fight back during the 2nd half, but fell short to the Newcastle Knights (who would then went on to win its 2nd premiership) In the 2009 NRL GF, the Parra played against the Storm. Melbourne won the match 23-16 (in which their 2009 Premiership would be stripped due to salary cap breaches). I think that the Eels will have the chance to break a 36-year drought.
DaveTarquin
Roar Rookie
Not this year. They need a champion half! They need a Reynolds, Cleary, Hughes or Keary. Perhaps they should make a play for Nicho Hynds or Luke Brooks to help an emerging Dylan Brown
David Lynn
Guest
Not their year. They need a Reynolds, Cleary, Hughes or Keary, they need a champion half.
Martin Robbins
Guest
Yeah , Nah !
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
There’s plenty of youth coming through.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
His defence has been fine since he was switched to the left.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Note: Storm fans DON'T read this! I hear what you are saying Tim, but no. It's not really the same thing as a side who has dominated most of the other teams in the competition over the last decade suddenly losing 4 games in a row to the same team. Especially a team that is notorious for being unable to raise their game against the elite teams in the competition. In their last 6 games (since Madge took over as coach in 2019) Souths have the wood over the Tigers 5-1. One of those wins was 38-22, a 16 point win. It might be a better analogy if the Tigers had that record over Souths. But they don't.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm not going to bite souvalis. Souths have a good chance of winning on Friday night as long as the officials don't skew the odds heavily in the Panthers favour, like a ridiculously lopsided 11-2 penalty count. When Souths do win the only wood involved will be the sound of Jarl Varg's wooden hands clapping from the grandstand in my whimsical imagination. :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"Waqa is fine in the centres, he’s our best athlete" Who can't catch and consistently makes the wrong read in defence. The only thing he can be relied on for is to crack under pressure. Good luck with that, Brett.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Yes
Succhi
Roar Rookie
No
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Souths traditionally struggle against the Tigers yet the joint venture side have only made the finals three times in their history.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
They made a positive move getting rid of Ferguson but definitely need Sivo there as a finisher . It's their depth that concerns me . If they don't make GF this year a lot of guys already ( forwards ) departing next year .
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
I’m a devoted Eels supporter (member). I always hope for a miracle. But you get so conditioned to disappointment and failure, over these last 35 years. Even when we had our record breaking team in 2001 we still got obliterated by a classy Newcastle team.
Muzz
Guest
Top 4 finish. Potential runners up.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Some sides have wood on other sides. How many times have the Rabbits beaten Penrith over the last 4 games ? (not counting the inevitability of this week).
Patrick
Guest
When they finish a season as well as they begin, I'll pay attention. They start every year light a house on fire then fall in a heap.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Yet, that same side have beated the Melbourne Storm in their last 4 games. No other team comes close to that. How do you explain that souvalis?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Ditto