Parramatta has gone from the euphoria of making last year’s Grand Final to missing the Finals in a dramatic fall from grace that will put coach Brad Arthur under immense pressure next year.
The Eels go into their final game of the season this Thursday night against Penrith with little to play for other than pride.
It is ironic that Parramatta finish their campaign against their Grand Final opponents from last season. Their contrasting seasons could not be more different, with Penrith bound for the Minor Premiership and favoured to win their third straight Grand Final.
Without injured halfback Mitchell Moses, the Eels were no match for a rejuvenated Roosters last Friday night, falling 34-12 at CommBank Stadium.
Arthur’s side needed to win to keep their Finals hopes alive, but it wasn’t to be.
“I thought we tried hard and started well, but a few things went against us and it snowballed,” Arthur said post-match.
“We fought hard, we’ve fought hard all year, we’re just not getting it right.”
Arthur said he was disappointed that the side couldn’t back up last year’s success with a winning season.
“I’m just disappointed for everyone involved with the club. I’m disappointed for the players and for our members and fans but the boys tried really hard this year and we had plenty of fight. We just weren’t up to it,” he said.
“I know how hard they tried, but it wasn’t good enough. We have to take responsibility for that and work through it in the pre-season and get ready to go next year. We’re not giving up.”
A clearly disappointed and frustrated Eels captain Clint Gutherson said it was a poor way to finish the year.
“We put so much hard work into going out every week and winning, and we haven’t had enough of it,” he said.
Arthur was handed a contract extension earlier this season in the wake of last year’s Grand Final appearance.
There is no suggestion his job is under threat heading into the 2024 season but noises around his future will surely get louder if next year’s campaign doesn’t get off to a good start.
The Eels will likely rue their start to the season, where they suffered three consecutive four point losses to Melbourne, Cronulla and Manly that has ultimately come back to bite them.
Parramatta head to BlueBet Stadium on Thursday night for one final match in 2023, with the team scheduled to have the bye in the final round.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.