Long-suffering Parramatta fans are again facing the longest of winters with the side’s season teetering on the edge of collapse.
Supporters hopeful that Jason Ryles would spark a return to the Finals and put the Eels in Premiership contention have instead been left looking up old replays of Grand Finals from the 1980s.
The Eels were spanked 52-20 by lowly Gold Coast this afternoon in front of their home fans at CommBank Stadium – the second time this season they have conceded 50 points.
The side sits second last on the ladder after six rounds, with only two wins to their name. They have conceded a whopping 226 points – more than any other side in the competition and the most of any Parramatta side after six rounds in the club’s history.
Sunday’s clash against Canterbury at CommBank Stadium is emerging as a do-or-die encounter even though it is only April. The chances of the Eels making the Finals should they lose again on the weekend would be extremely unlikely.
“I didn’t see it coming. There’s some real not good signs there,” Eels coach Jason Ryles said after the loss to the Titans.
“The spirit wasn’t there. Some individuals made some decision that hopefully they wouldn’t make again. That’s something we need to get to the bottom of really quickly.”
The Eels have plenty of excuses, spearheaded by a major injury toll, but fans have every right to be disappointed.
“It’s certainly a challenge. At the same time it creates opportunity,” he said.
“I’m not going to blame the injuries. Teams have those periods in seasons.”
Ryles said he had no issues with Eels fans booing the side at full-time following the shocking performance against Gold Coast.
“The fans are well within their rights to be doing that,” he said.
“They are a huge part of what we’re doing and it’s disappointing to be performing like that in front of them.”
Eels halfback Mitch Moses said he was struggling to find a solution to the current crisis.
“I don’t really have many answers,” he said.
“We’ve been losing our start every single game so far this season.”
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.