The 2018 Parramatta Eels season was the 72nd in the club's history. Coached by Brad Arthur and co-captained by Tim Mannah, Beau Scott and Clinton Gutherson, they finished the NRL's 2018 Telstra Premiership in last place, and did not qualify for the 2018 NRL Finals Series.
Summary For the 2018 season, Parramatta were predicted by many before the season to finish in the top 8 and challenge for the premiership. Those predictions were matched in the opening round of the season as Parramatta lead Penrith 14–0 early on but after a second half capitulation lost the game 24–14. In round 2, Parramatta were humiliated 54–0 by Manly at Brookvale Oval. Parramatta went on to lose the opening six games of the season before eventually winning their first game of the season defeating Manly 44–10 in round 7.
In round 8, Parramatta defeated Wests Tigers 24–22 to make it back to back victories for the club. The Eels then went on to lose the next five games in a row before eventually winning their third game of the season defeating North Queensland 20–14 in Darwin in which Jarryd Hayne returned from injury scoring two tries. The following weeks were filled with disappointment as the club came close to pulling off upset wins against top of the table St. George Illawarra only for the club to concede two tries in five minutes to lose 20–18 and South Sydney after leading 20–6 late into the game only for Souths to score late tries and win 26–20. In round 18, Parramatta lost 18–16 to Newcastle with the club being denied a last minute try after it was ruled winger Bevan French had put his foot over the sideline. The following week, Parramatta defeated arch rivals Canterbury 14–8 in what the media dubbed the "Spoon Bowl".
There were hopes that Parramatta could avoid the wooden spoon as going into the second last game of the season the club sat above North Queensland on the table due to for and against. In what was the retiring Jonathan Thurston's final home game, both clubs needed a win to avoid the wooden spoon. North Queensland won the match 44–6. In the final game of the season, Parramatta were defeated 44–10 by the Sydney Roosters ensuring that the club finished last and claimed their 14th wooden spoon and the Roosters claiming the minor premiership. Before the match, the Roosters needed to defeat Parramatta by 27 points to overtake Melbourne and finish first on the table.
Standings
Fixtures Pre-season RoundHomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate and time (Local)VenueAttendance 1 Newcastle Knights 6 – 26 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 24 February, 7:00 PMMaitland No.1 Sportsground 6,526 Source:
Home and away season
RoundHomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate and time (Local)VenueAttendance1 Penrith Panthers24 – 14 Parramatta EelsSunday 11 March, 3:10pmPanthers Stadium21,5062 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles54 – 0 Parramatta EelsSunday 18 March, 3:10pmLottoland10,5023 Parramatta Eels4 – 14 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksSaturday 24 March, 6:30pmANZ Stadium25,1064 Wests Tigers30 – 20 Parramatta EelsMonday 2 April, 4:00pmANZ Stadium30,4205 Parramatta Eels6 – 12 Penrith PanthersSunday 8 April, 4:10pmANZ Stadium10,0616 Canberra Raiders18 – 2 Parramatta EelsSaturday 14 April, 7:30pmGIO Stadium12,3287 Parramatta Eels44 – 10 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesSunday 22 April, 2:00pmANZ Stadium11,0698 Parramatta Eels24 – 22 Wests TigersSunday 29 April, 4:10pmANZ Stadium17,5559 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks22 – 20 Parramatta EelsSaturday 5 May, 7:30pmSouthern Cross Group Stadium12,07310 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs20 – 12 Parramatta EelsFriday 11 May, 7:50pmANZ Stadium15,68311 Parramatta Eels14 – 24 New Zealand WarriorsFriday 18 May, 6:00pmANZ Stadium9,46712 Brisbane Broncos 18 – 10 Parramatta EelsThursday 24 May, 7:50pmSuncorp Stadium21,55513 Parramatta Eels4 – 30 Newcastle KnightsSaturday 2 June, 7:30pmANZ Stadium7,71914 Parramatta Eels20 – 14 North Queensland CowboysSaturday 9 June, 7:30pmTIO Stadium8,39315 Parramatta Eels24 – 42 South Sydney RabbitohsThursday 14 June, 7:50pmANZ Stadium8,04716 St George-Illawarra Dragons20 – 18 Parramatta EelsThursday 28 June, 7:50pmWIN Stadium6,93317Bye Round18 Newcastle Knights18 – 16 Parramatta EelsFriday 13 July, 7:50pmMcDonald Jones Stadium15,86019 Parramatta Eels14 – 8 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsThursday 19 Jul, 7:50pmANZ Stadium8,43720 South Sydney Rabbitohs26 – 20 Parramatta EelsSaturday 28 July, 5:30pmANZ Stadium15,54221 Parramatta Eels28 – 12 Gold Coast TitansSaturday 4 August, 5:30pmANZ Stadium 6,15822 Parramatta Eels40 – 4 St George-Illawarra DragonsSaturday 11 August, 7:30pmANZ Stadium10,54123 Melbourne Storm20 – 4 Parramatta EelsFriday 17 August, 7:50pmAAMI Park12,13624 North Queensland Cowboys44 – 6 Parramatta EelsFriday 24 August. 7:50pm1300SMILES Stadium25,09525 Parramatta Eels10 – 44 Sydney RoostersSaturday 1 September, 7:30pmANZ Stadium11,543 Source:
Players and staff The playing squad and coaching staff of the Parramatta Eels for the 2018 NRL season as of 16 July 2018.
Transfers
In: Name From Transfer window Date PR Kane Evans Sydney Roosters Pre-season May 2017 HB Jaeman Salmon Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Pre-season November 2017 SR Tony Williams Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Pre-season November 2017 LK Ray Stone Youth Pre-season November 2017 HK Reed Mahoney Youth Pre-season November 2017 CE Dane Aukafolau Youth Pre-season November 2017 WG Greg Leleisiuao Youth Pre-season November 2017 FB Jarryd Hayne Gold Coast Titans Pre-season December 2017
Out: Name To Transfer window Date WG Semi Radradra RC Toulonnais (rugby union) Pre-season January 2017 HK Isaac De Gois Retired Pre-season August 2017 HB Jeff Robson Retired Pre-season August 2017 WG John Folau Blacktown Workers Pre-season November 2017 SR Jack Morris Wentworthville Magpies Pre-season November 2017 SR Cody Nelson Blacktown Workers Pre-season November 2017 PR Rory O'Brien Released Pre-season November 2017 WG Scott Schulte Redcliffe Dolphins Pre-season November 2017 WG Honeti Tuha Blacktown Workers Pre-season November 2017 SR Joseph Ualesi Released Pre-season November 2017 LK Matthew Woods Wentworthville Magpies Pre-season November 2017 HB Troy Dargan Brisbane Broncos Pre-season December 2017 PR Frank Pritchard Retired Pre-season January 2018 SR Kenny Edwards Catalans Dragons Mid-season May 2018
Controversies Tony Williams drink driving
On 14 February 2018, Tony Williams was fined $1,000, had his driver’s licence suspended for 12 months, and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond after appearing in Parramatta local court for mid-range drink driving. Williams had insisted on driving home when his wife came to pick him up after a birthday celebration at the Albion Hotel in Parramatta on 16 December 2016. His three young children were in the car at the time. His driving was so erratic that members of the public called the police, who discovered Williams had a blood alcohol level of 0.122. "Shame on you, Mr Williams," Magistrate Jennifer Giles said at sentencing. She said the "community does not feel safe with you with a licence; you are exceptionally lucky you did not hurt or kill someone, or yourself." Williams also has handed a 2-week suspension by the club.
Corey Norman drinking fine
In May 2018, Corey Norman was handed a breach notice by Parramatta and fined $20,000 for drinking alcohol and posting pictures of himself drinking on Instagram despite being on the injured list which is against team protocols. Norman reacted to the fine saying "I take full responsibility, I'll cop it on the chin".
Kenny Edwards contract termination
On May 19, 2018, Edwards' contract with the club was terminated by mutual agreement as the player had been caught by police driving on a suspended licence. Edwards was alleged to have fled from police after trying to avoid a roadside breath test. Edwards subsequently failed to notify Parramatta of the incident for two weeks after it happened. Parramatta released a statement saying "Today, Kenny Edwards through his management company, request a release from his playing contract with Parramatta National Rugby League Club Pty Limited, this release was granted by the club effective immediately".
Tony Williams and Nathan Davis failed drug test
On September 25, Davis and Williams were both terminated by Parramatta after failing a second drugs test. Both players were found guilty of testing positive for cocaine. As punishment, the NRL handed down a 12 match suspension and a fine to Davis and Williams.
References