Blog with Hoops: Sorry, Parra, the stats do matter. And they make for awful reading
Out of 18 NRL matches against premiers Melbourne Storm, grand finalists Penrith, Sydney Roosters and South Sydney over the past three seasons the Eels have won only six games for a 33.3 per cent win percentage.
Equally as concerning is the club’s record in their last three September campaigns in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
PARRA’S BIG FOUR FAILURES
2019: v Panthers (Rd 1) won 20-12, v Roosters (Rd 3) – lost 32-18, v Storm (Rd 9) – lost 64-0, v Panthers (Rd 11) – lost 16-10, v Rabbitohs (Rd 12) – won 26-14, v Storm (finals) – lost 32-0.
2020: v Panthers (Rd 5) won 16-10, v Roosters (Rd 6) – lost 28-0, v Storm (Rd 15) – won 14-0, v Rabbitohs (Rd 16) – lost 38-0, v Panthers (Rd 18) – lost 20-2, v Storm (finals) – lost 36-24, v Rabbitohs (finals) – lost 38-24
2021: v Storm (Rd 2) – won 16-12, v Roosters (Rd 9) – won 31-18, v Rabbitohs (Rd 12) – lost 38-20, v Panthers (Rd 16) – lost 13-12, v Roosters (Rd 20) – lost 28-0
Parramatta have won just one from six finals matches under coach Brad Arthur – the sole victory being the 58-0 flogging of the Brisbane Broncos in 2019.
Otherwise it’s been straight sets finals exits despite finishing in the top four at the conclusion of the regular season in 2017 and 2020.
In nine of their 12 losses against the NRL’s best sides, the Eels have been beaten by 13 points or more.
The challenge for Parramatta is dealing with the outside noise suggesting history says the look like premiership contenders every May yet then fade away at the business end of the season.
Hoops: Sorry, Parra, the stats do matter. And they make for awful reading
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