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Parramatta Eels 2016 season in review
Eelementary | October 14 2016 6:22PM
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Before season 2016 ever kicked off for Parramatta, there was an aura of nervous energy hanging around the place (despite the best efforts of coach Brad Arthur and his charges to remain stoic and nonchalant) - for you see, the Eels' front office had made serious and reckless errors in judgement with regards to the NRL salary cap, which ultimately culminated in the Eels justly losing 12 competition points, their for and against they had accrued up until then and copping a large fine.
But prior to kick-off of season 2016, there was contagious enthusiasm and positivity emanating from Parramatta supporters' pores; for the first time in a decade, the Eels boasted a strong roster on paper, and a well-regarded coach to bring the best out of them. Yes, 2016 was set to be a bumper year for the Eels - and the incompetence of a few men and women on their board plunged a dagger into the hearts of Eels fans everywhere.
Before knowing the outcome of the NRL's investigation into their then-alleged breaches of the salary cap, the Eels hosted the Broncos at Pirtek Stadium in round 1 - sadly, without star off-season recruit, Kieran Foran.
Brisbane proved too strong in this encounter, winning 17-4.
Despite the loss, the club remained upbeat, and would go on a run of victories, beating the Cowboys 20-16, the Bulldogs 20-6, and the Tigers 8-0 in consecutive weeks.
The following week, the Eels hosted a high-flying Panthers team, which ultimately pipped the Eels at the full-time siren 20-18.
Parramatta then hosted the Raiders, themselves playing great football at that time, and put on a masterclass of attacking football in the first half, eventually running out 36-6 winners.
The Eels backed up that strong performance with a win at Brookvale, before succumbing to the defending Premiers 32-16.
Following that loss, the Eels played Canterbury, edging them out 20-12.
It was at this point that the NRL handed down their punishment, and the Parramatta club - despite their best efforts to remain focussed - let their guards down.
They lost 22-20 at the last minute to South Sydney; were comfortably defeated 18-6 at Pirtek by the Storm; barely held on to beat a struggling, yet gallant, Newcastle side 20-18; had a bye; defeated the Titans in Darwin 22-12; defeated the Rabbitohs at ANZ 30-12; had another bye; lost to the Sharks 34-24 in the Shire; defeated the Roosters 22-18 in a tough, thrilling contest; lost to Penrith, the Titans and the Tigers in consecutive weeks; defeated Manly 10-9 in controversial circumstances at Pirtek; suffered back-to-back defeats to Brisbane and Canberra; before easily accounting for the Dragons and Warriors in their final two matches of the 2016 season.
Overall, Parramatta's record finished at 13 wins and 11 losses.
It is worth noting that the spearhead of the Eels' attack, Corey Norman, was suspended for the last 8 weeks of the competition for off-field dramas, and with Kieran Foran walking out of the club, the coach had little choice but to use makeshift halves for the second half of the season, including Kenny Edwards, Clinton Gutherson, and eventually Jeff Robson.
Eelementary | October 14 2016 6:22PM
Embed from Getty Images
Before season 2016 ever kicked off for Parramatta, there was an aura of nervous energy hanging around the place (despite the best efforts of coach Brad Arthur and his charges to remain stoic and nonchalant) - for you see, the Eels' front office had made serious and reckless errors in judgement with regards to the NRL salary cap, which ultimately culminated in the Eels justly losing 12 competition points, their for and against they had accrued up until then and copping a large fine.
But prior to kick-off of season 2016, there was contagious enthusiasm and positivity emanating from Parramatta supporters' pores; for the first time in a decade, the Eels boasted a strong roster on paper, and a well-regarded coach to bring the best out of them. Yes, 2016 was set to be a bumper year for the Eels - and the incompetence of a few men and women on their board plunged a dagger into the hearts of Eels fans everywhere.
Before knowing the outcome of the NRL's investigation into their then-alleged breaches of the salary cap, the Eels hosted the Broncos at Pirtek Stadium in round 1 - sadly, without star off-season recruit, Kieran Foran.
Brisbane proved too strong in this encounter, winning 17-4.
Despite the loss, the club remained upbeat, and would go on a run of victories, beating the Cowboys 20-16, the Bulldogs 20-6, and the Tigers 8-0 in consecutive weeks.
The following week, the Eels hosted a high-flying Panthers team, which ultimately pipped the Eels at the full-time siren 20-18.
Parramatta then hosted the Raiders, themselves playing great football at that time, and put on a masterclass of attacking football in the first half, eventually running out 36-6 winners.
The Eels backed up that strong performance with a win at Brookvale, before succumbing to the defending Premiers 32-16.
Following that loss, the Eels played Canterbury, edging them out 20-12.
It was at this point that the NRL handed down their punishment, and the Parramatta club - despite their best efforts to remain focussed - let their guards down.
They lost 22-20 at the last minute to South Sydney; were comfortably defeated 18-6 at Pirtek by the Storm; barely held on to beat a struggling, yet gallant, Newcastle side 20-18; had a bye; defeated the Titans in Darwin 22-12; defeated the Rabbitohs at ANZ 30-12; had another bye; lost to the Sharks 34-24 in the Shire; defeated the Roosters 22-18 in a tough, thrilling contest; lost to Penrith, the Titans and the Tigers in consecutive weeks; defeated Manly 10-9 in controversial circumstances at Pirtek; suffered back-to-back defeats to Brisbane and Canberra; before easily accounting for the Dragons and Warriors in their final two matches of the 2016 season.
Overall, Parramatta's record finished at 13 wins and 11 losses.
It is worth noting that the spearhead of the Eels' attack, Corey Norman, was suspended for the last 8 weeks of the competition for off-field dramas, and with Kieran Foran walking out of the club, the coach had little choice but to use makeshift halves for the second half of the season, including Kenny Edwards, Clinton Gutherson, and eventually Jeff Robson.