2012 Parramatta Eels season explained
| Year: | 2012 |
| Team Colour: | gold |
| Font Colour: | blue |
| League: | NRL |
| League Rank: | 16th |
| League Wins: | 6 |
| League Draws: | 0 |
| League Losses: | 18 |
| Points For: | 431 |
| Points Against: | 674 |
| Cup: | World Club Challenge |
| Ceo Title: | CEO |
| Ceo: | Bob Bentley |
| Coach Title: | Coach |
| Coach: |  Stephen Kearney (Round 1–20)
 Brad Arthur (Interim, Round 21–26) |
| Stadium: | Parramatta Stadium (Capacity: 20,741)
ANZ Stadium (Capacity: 83,500) |
| Avg Attendance: | 16,803 (Home)
17,021 (Home & Away) |
| Agg Attendance: | 201,633 (Home)
408,493 (Home & Away) |
| High Attendance: | 45,863 (2 September vs St. George Illawarra Dragons, Round 26) |
| Top Tries: | Ken Sio (13) |
| Top Goals: | Luke Burt (53) |
| Top Points: | Luke Burt (134) |
| List: | yes |
| List Link: | List of Parramatta Eels seasons |
The 2012 Parramatta Eels season is the 66th in the club's history. Coached by Stephen Kearney (who was replaced part-way through the season by assistant coach, Brad Arthur) and captained by Nathan Hindmarsh, they competed in the NRL's 2012 Telstra Premiership. Parramatta finished the regular season in last place for the first time since 1972, also failing to make the finals for the third consecutive year.
Summary
2012 saw the retirement of Eels legends Luke Burt and Nathan Hindmarsh. It would also mark the first time since 1972 that the team would succumb to the dreaded Wooden Spoon. Parramatta struggled all year, securing just their first win of the season in Round 5 against defending premiers Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles before ending a six-game losing streak against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. This horror start to the season, and a win rate of less than 25% over almost two seasons with the club, coach Stephen Kearney was forced to resign and assistant coach Brad Arthur would become caretaker. The team responded to this producing three wins from four games, including competition front-runners Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos to give the fans some hope for the rest of the season. However this was short lived and following a 38-6 thumping to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in round 25 of the Telstra Premiership were officially unable to avoid the wooden spoon.
Whilst Parramatta's problems were largely attributed to their relatively poor defence, numerous pundits claimed Parramatta's problems in 2012 were largely credited to the recurring absences of star fullback Jarryd Hayne. Even whilst producing higher per-match statistics than any other fullback in the game (eight tries, 14 try-assists), Hayne only managed to complete ten games from the season's 24, due to both injury and State of Origin duty.
Throughout the season many of the Parramatta players came under scrutiny and were dropped to the NSW Cup, including high-profile recruit Chris Sandow, who at the time was touted as overweight and unfit,[1] and veteran Luke Burt. As a result, players Matt Ryan, Jake Mullaney and Nathan Smith were called up to the top squad and have impressed in their roles of Second-Row, Fullback and Hooker respectively, making a suitable replacement for injured stars Jarryd Hayne and Matt Keating.
Towards the end of the season Ricky Stuart was announced as the new coach for the Parramatta Eels from 2013.[2]
Standings
National Youth Competition
Fixtures
Pre-season
Home and away season
See main article: 2012 NRL season results.
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | Report |
|---|
| 2 March | Round 1 | Brisbane Broncos | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Loss | 6 - 18 | Sandow | Burt 1/1 | 11,339 | [3] |
| 12 March | Round 2 | New Zealand Warriors | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Loss | 20 - 36 | Sio, Blair, Sandow (2) | Sandow 2/4 | 12,102 | [4] |
| 18 March | Round 3 | North Queensland Cowboys | Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville | Loss | 42 - 6 | O'Hanlon | Sandow 1/1 | 8,239 | [5] |
| 23 March | Round 4 | Penrith Panthers | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Loss | 6 - 39 | Maitua | Sandow 1/1 | 13,788 | [6] |
| 31 March | Round 5 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Win | 29 - 20 | | Sandow 6/6 & FG: 1/1 | 13,518[7] | [8] |
| 8 April | Round 6 | Newcastle Knights | | Loss | 14 - 6 | | Sandow 1/1 | 24,158 | [9] |
| 15 April | Round 7 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | | Loss | 24 - 18 | Hayne (2), Blair | Sandow 3/3 | 14,327 [10] | [11] |
| 29 April | Round 8 | Wests Tigers | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Loss | 30 - 31 | | Burt 5/5 | 19,654 [12] | [13] |
| 4 May | Round 9 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park | Loss | 12 - 46 | | Burt 2/2 | 28,214 [14] | [15] |
| 13 May | Round 10 | Canberra Raiders | Canberra Stadium, Canberra | Loss | 40 - 34 | | Burt 5/6 | 9,210 [16] | [17] |
| 18-21 May | Round 11 | Bye |
| 26 May | Round 12 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah | Loss | 14 - 12 | | Burt 2/2 | 12,756 [18] | [19] |
| 4 June | Round 13 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Win | 29 - 20 | | Burt 4/5; Sandow FG: 1/1 | 10,009 [20] | [21] |
| 8-11 June | Round 14 | Bye |
| 16 June | Round 15 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park | Loss | 6 - 24 | | Burt 1/1 | 14,212 [22] | [23] |
| 23 June | Round 16 | Penrith Panthers | Centrebet Stadium, Penrith[24] | Win | 19 - 18 | | Burt 3/3; Sandow FG: 1/1 | 15,275 [25] | [26] |
| 30 June | Round 17 | Newcastle Knights | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Loss | 12 - 20 | M. Keating, Sio | Burt 2/2 | 12,022 | |
| 8 July | Round 18 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Brookvale Oval, Brookvale[27] | Loss | 40 - 24 | Sio (2), Burt, Mullaney | Burt 4/4 | 16,065 | |
| 13 July | Round 19 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park[28] | Loss | 12 - 32 | | Burt 2/2 | 31,102 | |
| 21 July | Round 20 | Melbourne Storm | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Win | 16 - 10 | Hindmarsh, Sio, B. Smith | Burt 2/3 | 9,029 | |
| 30 July | Round 21 | Brisbane Broncos | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[29] | Win | 22 - 42 | Sandow (2), Burt, Moimoi, Poore, Sio, N. Smith | Burt 7/7 | 22,626 | |
| 6 August | Round 22 | Wests Tigers | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbelltown | Loss | 51 - 26 | Mullaney (2), Roberts, Sio, Tautai | Burt 3/5 | 14,822 | |
| 11 August | Round 23 | Sydney Roosters | Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta | Win | 36 - 22 | Morgan (2), Sandow (2), Blair, Hindmarsh | Burt 6/7 | 12,193 | |
| 19 August | Round 24 | Gold Coast Titans | Skilled Park, Gold Coast | Loss | 24 - 16 | Burt, Lasalo, Sandow | Burt 2/3 | 14,159 | |
| 26 August | Round 25 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park[30] | Loss | 6 - 38 | Burt | Burt 1/1 | 24,121 | |
| 2 September | Round 26 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park | Loss | 8 - 29 | Morgan | Burt 1/1, Hindmarsh 1/1 | 45,863 | | |
Transfers
In:
Out
Retirees
Note: Former Manly player and NSW representative, William Hopoate will join the Eels in 2014 after completing a two-year religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[31]
Player statistics
Player statistics as of 26 August 2012.[32]
| Name | App | T | G | FG | Pts |
|---|
| 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 18 | 6 | 51 | 0 | 126 |
| 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 17 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 21 | 9 | 14 | 3 | 67 |
| 22 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
|
Milestones
- Round 4 - Four losses marked the Eels' worst season opening since 1991
- Round 5 - The Eels broke their losing streak in to 2011 Premiers, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Part-way through the season it was announced that head coach Stephen Kearney would depart the club, with his assistant Brad Arthur taking over for the remainder of 2012. About a week later Ricky Stuart was announced as the Eels' head coach for the 2013 NRL season.
Jersey and Sponsors
Parramatta retain Pirtek Fluid Systems as major sponsor in 2012. The team is often referred to as the Pirtek Eels. Apparel sponsors for 2012 are Law Partners Compensation Lawyers, the University of New England, and Capital Corporation.[33]
Notes and References
- http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sterling-slams-overweight-sandow/story-e6frexnr-1226322603592 Sterling Slams Overweight Sandow
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/ricky-stuart-to-coach-parramatta-eels-for-next-three-seasons/story-e6frfgbo-1226435192460 Ricky Stuart To Coach Parramatta Eels For Next Three Seasons
- News: NRL Game Report: Eels vs Broncos . League Central: The Daily Telegraph . Sydney . News Limited . 2 March 2012 . 27 March 2012.
- News: NRL Game Report: Eels vs Warriors . League Central: The Daily Telegraph . Sydney . News Limited . 12 March 2012 . 27 March 2012.
- News: NRL Game Report: Cowboys vs Eels . League Central: The Daily Telegraph . Sydney . News Limited . 17 March 2012 . 27 March 2012.
- News: NRL Game Report: Eels vs Panthers . League Central: The Daily Telegraph . Sydney . News Limited . 23 March 2012 . 27 March 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 5 (PAR-MAN) . https://archive.today/20120910043226/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/NRL_2012/Round_5/Parramatta-vs-Manly_Warringah/summary.html . dead . September 10, 2012 . Rugby League Project . 1 April 2012 . 1 April 2012 .
- News: NRL Match Centre . Fox Sports . 1 April 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 6 (NEW-PAR) . Rugby League Project . 10 April 2012 . 10 April 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 7 (CRO-PAR) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Cronulla v Parramatta, Full Time 24-18 . Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 15 April 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 8 (PAR-WTI) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v Wests Tigers, Full Time 30-31 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 29 April 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 9 (PAR-CTB) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v Canterbury-Bankstown, Full Time 12-46 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 4 May 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 10 (CNB-PAR) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Canberra v Parramatta, Full Time 40-34 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 13 May 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 12 (STI-PAR) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: St George Illawarra v Parramatta, Full Time 14-12 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 26 May 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 13 (PAR-CRO) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v Cronulla, Full Time 29-20 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 26 May 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 15 (PAR-SOU) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v South Sydney, Full Time 6-24 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 16 June 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- [2012 NRL season results#Round 16 - Women in League round|2012 NRL season results: Round 16]
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Round 16 (PEN-PAR) . Rugby League Project . 28 August 2012.
- News: NRL Match Centre: Penrith v Parramatta, Full Time 18-19 . The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ . 23 June 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- [2012 NRL season results#Round 18|2012 NRL season results: Round 18]
- [2012 NRL season results#Round 19 - Rivalry Round #1|2012 NRL season results: Round 19]
- [2012 NRL season results#Round 21|2012 NRL season results: Round 21]
- [2012 NRL season results#Round 25|2012 NRL season results: Round 25]
- News: William Hopoate to sign with Parramatta Eels . The Daily Telegraph . Sydney . Josh . Massoud . 4 October 2011 . 27 March 2012.
- Web site: NRL 2012 - Parramatta Eels . The Rugby League Project . 26 August 2012 . 28 August 2012.
- Web site: Sponsor Directory . Parramatta Eels . Telstra BigPond . 27 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321114953/http://www.parraeels.com.au/default.aspx?s=sponsor-directory . 21 March 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
