Mid Season Report: Parramatta Eels

The Stats

Ladder Position: 15th

Played: 13
Wins: 4
Losses: 9

Points Scored: 256
Ranking: 6th

Points Conceded: 314
Ranking: 1st

State of Play

Injuries

Kenny Edwards (ACL, season)
Kaysa Pritchard (pectoral, season)
Beau Champion (knee, season)
Isaac De Gois (cheek, Round 21)
Peni Terepo (pec, season)
Richie Fa’aoso (shoulder, indefinite)

Suspensions

Manu Ma’u (Until Round 17)

Season to Date

After round 1 the Eels would’ve been saying ‘Jarryd Who?’ as they clobbered the Manly Sea Eagles but it has been all downhill from there. When on-song the team looks like it could match it with the best but that team only turns up once in a blue moon. Fortunately the last few weeks has restored some hope that they might not receive their third wooden spoon in four years.

The major issue is their forward pack which struggles to match it with the best in the league particularly in defence. Young Tepai Moeroa does give them hope for the future as he could become a star prop. Chris Sandow has looked very good at times however often looks uncomfortable trying to work with the coach’s game plan. Corey Norman has however looked very good at controlling the field and putting together some potentially lethal offence.

Finals Bound?

The Eels are yet to receive any of their 4 freebie bye points which will help in their quest to make the 8 however they will struggle to post the usual 28 points that are required to make the finals. Assuming, from other years, that the benchmark is 28 points they would need to win 8 of their last 11 games. They would need to re-enact their 2009 season form which is very unlikely without the Hayne Plane leading the way.