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Moving into position to pounce at the pointy end of the season is crucial and after a lacklustre start to their campaign, Parramatta have perhaps the best opportunity to announce their candidacy of the teams on the outside currently looking in on the top eight.
They have a friendly draw and two byes ahead, yet the team that most felt would be higher on the ladder at this point in the season does need to take care of business week by week, starting against the Bulldogs on Monday.
In fact, the next seven weeks will be season defining for the men in blue and gold.
Across that period, the Eels play just two teams currently sitting inside the top eight, the Dolphins in eighth and the Warriors in seventh, with their four other opponents occupying 15th, 14th 13th and 10th on the NRL ladder before Round 15.
With a bye slated for Round 18, it is an appealing run of matches should the Eels’ recently improving form continue. Wins against the Bunnies and Cowboys leading into last week’s bye have created the potential for a stunning run through the depths of winter.
A successful navigation of the Bulldogs on Monday, and wins against the Sea Eagles and now wounded Dolphins heading into the bye, would see Brad Arthur’s men having claimed the last 14 competition points on offer to them.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has his men poised for a big charge towards the finals. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
After the bye, the Warriors, Titans and Cowboys await.
Even with one stumble somewhere along the way, a firing Parramatta could well be ensconced in the top four should the momentum build and the wins be banked. It is far from beyond the realms of possibility.
With the likelihood that 32-34 points will be around the number required to participate in the finals come September, a potential winning streak through the upcoming period would have the Eels mighty close to qualification.
However, that is where things get a little trickier for Parramatta. Across the final six weeks of the season, the Storm, Broncos and Panthers await, with additional games against the Dragons and Roosters potential must wins should there be any slip ups in the short term. The Round 27 bye is simply a bonus.
The Eels have created the challenge for themselves by sloppily winning just six from 13 to start the season and will rue the opening three weeks, where four-point losses to the Storm, Sharks and Sea Eagles had them at rock bottom early on.
A two-point loss to the Titans will be another match to lament should Parramatta miss the finals, yet with six more than winnable games and a bye upcoming, that 6-7 record should be well in the black by the time the tough trip to Melbourne to face the Storm rolls around on July 28.
Enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard is a big addition for the Eels against the Bulldogs this coming Monday. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
There is simply no excuse for the Eels failing to capitalise on the opportunity presented to them by the draw. The Dolphins and Cowboys away might be awkward assignments, yet Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Andrew Davey are back and Ryan Matterson is reportedly only a week away from a return to play.
Dylan Brown’s situation has thrown a considerable spanner in the works, as he faces sexual touching charges and has been stood down, yet the Eels are stacked with talent and able to manage his loss with the depth in the squad available to Arthur.
It all starts against the Bulldogs on Monday, with former Eel Reed Mahoney set to be pivotal and a dangerous link in the inconstant Canterbury attack, should he be cleared to play.
Simply, there can be few mistakes from Parramatta across the next seven weeks. Bank the wins, get the jobs done and before the competition will even be aware, last year’s losing grand finalist will be in the mix.
Competitive sport present opportunities and the key to success is taking them when they appear. For the Eels to be taken seriously in 2023, they need to pounce right now, there is a top four position up for grabs should they be good enough to claim it.
For that to happen, there can be no more honourable losses; something their veteran coach will be hammering home in the lead-up to Monday’s clash with their traditional rivals who would like nothing more than to put another dent in Parra’s playoff push.