2017 Parramatta Eels season explained

Year:2017
Team Colour:gold
Font Colour:blue
League:NRL
League Rank:4th
League Wins:16
League Draws:0
League Losses:8
Points For:496
Points Against:457
Playoff Result:Semi-finalists (Lost 16–24 vs North Queensland Cowboys, 2nd Semi Final)
Cup:World Club Challenge
Cup2:Auckland Nines
Cup2 Result:Semi-finalists (Lost 0–13 vs Penrith Panthers, 1st Semi Final)
Ceo Title:CEO
Ceo:Bernie Gurr
Coach Title:Coach
Stadium:ANZ Stadium (Capacity: 83,500)
TIO Stadium (Capacity: 12,500)
Avg Attendance:14,346 (Home)
15,288 (Home & Away)
31,956 (Finals Series)
Agg Attendance:172,156 (Home)
366,909 (Home & Away)
63,913 (Finals Series)
High Attendance:41,287 (16 September vs North Queensland Cowboys, 2nd Semi Final)
Top Tries: Semi Radradra (22)
Top Goals: Clinton Gutherson (49)
Top Points: Clinton Gutherson (142)
List:yes
List Link:List of Parramatta Eels seasons

The 2017 Parramatta Eels season is the 71st in the club's history. Coached by Brad Arthur and co-captained by Tim Mannah and Beau Scott, they are competing in the NRL's 2017 Telstra Premiership.

Summary

Parramatta started the 2017 season off with victories over Manly and St. George Illawarra before succumbing to four straight losses. In the Easter Monday game against the Wests Tigers, Parramatta trailed the game 16-10 but came back in the second half to win 26-22. At the midway point of the season, Parramatta sat ninth on the table before going on to win nine of their next ten matches to finish fourth and qualify for their first finals series since 2009. The club would go into the finals series without Clinton Gutherson and Bevan French who both suffered season ending injuries.[1]

In week one of the finals, Parramatta narrowly lost 18-16 to Minor Premiers Melbourne in a controversial match at AAMI Park with Melbourne scoring two questionable tries which were not checked by the NRL bunker. With 30 seconds remaining, Melbourne player Will Chambers performed what seemed to be a voluntary tackle which was not penalised by the referee which would have given Parramatta a chance at a penalty goal right in front of the posts to make it 18-18. In week two of the finals, Parramatta hosted North Queensland who had only qualified for the finals due to St. George Illawarra failing to win their final regular season match. North Queensland were also depleted by injuries with star players Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott being ruled out. Parramatta held a 10-6 lead at half-time but suffered a second half capitulation losing 24-16 which ended their season.[2] [3] [4]

Squad information

NamePositionDate of birth (age)JoinedSigned from
Daniel AlvaroPR2015Youth
Kirisome Auva'aCE2017 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nathan BrownPR / SR / LK2017 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Troy DarganHB2017Youth
Nathan Davis^FB / CE / WG2017 Gold Coast Titans
Isaac De GoisHK2014 Cronulla Sharks
Kenny EdwardsSR / LK2013Southport Tigers
Bureta FaraimoWG2014 Mackay Cutters
Jamal FogartyHB2017 Burleigh Bears
John FolauWG / CE2015Youth
Bevan FrenchFB2016Youth
David GowerSR / LK / PR2014 Manly Sea Eagles
Clinton GuthersonFB / CE / WG2016 Manly Sea Eagles
James HassonSR / PR2016 Manly Sea Eagles
Josh HoffmanFB / CE / WG / FE2017 Gold Coast Titans
George JenningsCE / WG2017 Penrith Panthers
Michael JenningsCE2016 Sydney Roosters
Cameron KingHK2016 North Queensland Cowboys
Manu Ma'uSR2014Wentworthville Magpies
Tim MannahPR2009Youth
Suaia MatagiPR2017 Penrith Panthers
Tepai MoeroaSR2014Youth
Jack MorrisSR2017Youth
Mitchell Moses^HB2017 Wests Tigers
Cody NelsonSR / FE2015 Gold Coast Titans
Marata NiukoreSR / CE2017 New Zealand Warriors
Corey NormanFE / FB2014 Brisbane Broncos
Rory O'BrienPR2016 St George Illawarra Dragons
Frank PritchardSR2017 Hull FC
Kaysa PritchardHK2013Youth
Semi RadradraWG2013Youth
Jeff RobsonHB / FE / HK2016 New Zealand Warriors
Scott SchulteWG2016 North Queensland Cowboys
Beau ScottSR / CE2016 Newcastle Knights
Will SmithFE / FB / CE2017 Penrith Panthers
Brad TakairangiSR / CE2015 Gold Coast Titans
Kelepi TanginoaSR / LK2016 North Queensland Cowboys
Peni TerepoPR / SR / LK2013Youth
Honeti TuhaWG2016 Newcastle Knights
Alex TwalPR2016Youth
Joseph UalesiSR / LK2013Youth
Siosaia VavePR2017 Manly Sea Eagles
Matthew WoodsLK / SR2016 Wests Tigers
Source:

Transfers

In:

NameFromTransfer windowDate
Pre-season August 2016 [5]
Pre-season September 2016 [6]
Pre-season September 2016 [7]
Pre-season October 2016 [8]
Pre-season November 2016 [9]
Pre-season November 2016
Pre-season November 2016
Pre-season November 2016
Youth Pre-season November 2016
Pre-season November 2016 [10]
Pre-season November 2016 [11]
Mid-season March 2017 [12]
Mid-season May 2017 [13]

Out:

NameToTransfer windowDate
Retired Pre-season May 2016 [14]
Pre-season June 2016 [15]
Pre-season August 2016 [16]
Pre-season October 2016 [17]
Pre-season October 2016 [18]
Retired Pre-season November 2016 [19]
Released Pre-season January 2017 [20]
Mid-season May 2017 [21]
Mid-season June 2017 [22]
Mid-season June 2017 [23]
Mid-season June 2017 [24]
Manly Sea EaglesMid-season June 2017

Auckland Nines

See main article: 2017 NRL Auckland Nines.

Matches

Match No.HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and time (Local)width=18%Venuewidth=7%Attendance
align=center 1 St George Illawarra Dragons11 – 32 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 4 February, 12:50 PMEden Park22,000
align=center 2 New Zealand Warriors0 – 17 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 4 February, 5:10 PM
align=center 3 Manly Sea Eagles12 – 17 Parramatta EelsSunday, 5 February, 11:25 AM
align=center Parramatta Eels17 – 0 Gold Coast TitansSunday, 5 February, 2:20 PM
align=center Penrith Panthers13 – 0 Parramatta EelsSunday, 5 February, 4:40 PM
align=center Did not qualify
Source:[25] [26]

Pre-season

RoundHomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and time (Local)width=18%Venuewidth=7%Attendance
align=center 1 Parramatta Eels18 – 30 Gold Coast TitansSaturday, 11 February, 7:30 PMANZAC Oval2,207
align=center 2 Penrith Panthers18 – 6 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 18 February, 7:10 PMPenrith Stadium
Source:[27] [28]

Home and away season

See main article: 2017 NRL season.

Matches

See main article: 2017 NRL season results.

RoundHomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and time (Local)width=18%Venuewidth=7%Attendance
1 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles12 – 20 Parramatta EelsSunday, 5 March, 4:00 PMLottoland11,318
2 St. George Illawarra Dragons16 – 34 Parramatta EelsSunday, 12 March, 6:30 PMWIN Stadium16,023
3 Gold Coast Titans26 – 14[29] Parramatta EelsFriday, 17 March, 8:05 PMCbus Super Stadium11,612[30]
4 Parramatta Eels6 – 20 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksSaturday, 25 March, 7:00 PMANZ Stadium17,003
5 Canberra Raiders30 – 18 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 1 April, 5:30 PMGIO Stadium17,653
6 New Zealand Warriors22 – 10 Parramatta EelsSunday, 9 April, 1:30 PMMt Smart Stadium13,526
7 Parramatta Eels26 – 22 Wests TigersMonday, 17 April, 3:30 PMANZ Stadium28,249
8 Parramatta Eels18 – 12 Penrith PanthersSaturday, 22 April, 3:00 PMANZ Stadium14,070
9 North Queensland Cowboys6 – 26 Parramatta EelsFriday, 28 April, 8:05 PM1300SMILES Stadium10,594
10 Sydney Roosters48 – 10 Parramatta EelsSunday, 14 May, 3:00 PMAllianz Stadium10,467
11 Parramatta Eels16 – 22 Canberra RaidersSaturday, 20 May, 7:30 PMANZ Stadium10,074
12 South Sydney Rabbitohs16 – 22 Parramatta EelsFriday, 26 May, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium14,218
13 Parramatta Eels32 – 24 New Zealand WarriorsFriday, 2 June, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium9,489
14 Parramatta Eels6 – 32 North Queensland CowboysSaturday, 10 June, 7:30 PMTIO Stadium11,968
15 Parramatta Eels24 – 10 St George-Illawarra DragonsSunday, 18 June, 4:00 PMANZ Stadium13,559
Bye Round
17 Parramatta Eels13 – 12 (gp) Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsThursday, 29 June, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium14,061
18 Melbourne Storm6 – 22 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 8 July, 7:30 PMAAMI Park13,593
Bye Round
20 Wests Tigers16 – 17 Parramatta EelsSunday, 23 July, 4:00 PMANZ Stadium30,901
21 Parramatta Eels28 – 14 Brisbane BroncosFriday, 28 July, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium12,182
22 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs4 – 20 Parramatta EelsThursday, 3 August, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium12,137
23 Parramatta Eels10 – 29 Newcastle KnightsFriday, 11 August, 6:00 PMANZ Stadium13,141
24 Parramatta Eels30 – 8 Gold Coast TitansThursday, 17 August, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium6,826
25 Brisbane Broncos34 – 52 Parramatta EelsThursday, 24 August, 7:50 PMSuncorp Stadium29,058
26 Parramatta Eels22 – 16 South Sydney RabbitohsFriday, 1 September, 7:50 PMANZ Stadium21,533
Source:[31]

Finals series

See main article: 2017 NRL finals series.

Matches

FinalHomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and time (Local)width=18%Venuewidth=7%Attendance
Melbourne Storm18 – 16 Parramatta EelsSaturday, 9 September, 4:10 PMAAMI Park22,626
Parramatta Eels16 – 24 North Queensland CowboysSaturday, 16 September, 7:40 PMANZ Stadium41,287
Source:

Representative call-ups

Domestic

PlayerTeamCall-upDate
Bevan FrenchIndigenous All Stars2017 All Stars MatchFebruary 2017
Tepai MoeroaWorld All Stars2017 All Stars MatchFebruary 2017
Clinton Gutherson NSW City2017 City vs Country OriginMay 2017
David Gower NSW City2017 City vs Country OriginMay 2017
Daniel Alvaro NSW Country2017 City vs Country OriginMay 2017

International

PlayerCountryCall-upDate
Marata Niukore Cook Islands2017 Pacific Rugby League TestsMay 2017[32]
Suaia Matagi Samoa2017 Pacific Rugby League TestsMay 2017[33]
2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017
Kaysa Pritchard Samoa2017 Pacific Rugby League TestsMay 2017
Siosaia Vave Tonga2017 Pacific Rugby League TestsMay 2017
Michael Jennings Tonga2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017[34]
Manu Ma'u Tonga2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017
Peni Terepo Tonga2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017
Brad Takairangi New Zealand2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017[35]
Daniel Alvaro Italy2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017[36]
Nathan Brown Italy2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017
Frank Pritchard Samoa2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017
Salesi Fainga'a (NYC player) Fiji2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017[37]
Anthony Layoun (NYC player) Lebanon2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017[38]
Tim Mannah Lebanon2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017
Mitchell Moses Lebanon2017 Rugby League World CupOctober 2017

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eels confirm Gutherson is out for the season. 14 August 2021 .
  2. Web site: Storm edge Eels 18-16 in NRL qualifier. www.espn.co.uk. 8 September 2017 .
  3. Web site: Match Highlights Eels v Storm, Qualifying Final. www.parraeels.com.au. 9 September 2017 .
  4. Web site: Eels out as Cowboys dream lives on . NRL . 16 September 2017 . 28 December 2021.
  5. Web site: Parramatta Eels sign Siosaia Vave. Parraeels.com.au. 28 August 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  6. Web site: Eels sign Nathan Brown. Parraeels.com.au. 16 September 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  7. Web site: Eels sign George Jennings for 2017. Parraeels.com.au. 17 September 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  8. Web site: Eels sign Hoffman on three year deal. Parraeels.com.au. 10 October 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  9. Web site: Parramatta Eels announce signings for the 2017 squad. Parraeels.com.au. 2 November 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  10. Web site: Eels sign Suaia Matagi. Parraeels.com.au. 10 November 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  11. Web site: Eels sign Frank Pritchard. Parraeels.com.au. 17 November 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  12. Web site: Parramatta Eels sign Nathan Davis. Parraeels.com.au. 21 March 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  13. Web site: Parramatta Eels sign Mitchell Moses. Parraeels.com.au. 16 May 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  14. News: Anthony Watmough confirms he will retire as Parramatta finalise salary cap plan. Chris. Barrett. 5 May 2016. 9 October 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  15. Web site: Michael Gordon signs with Roosters. Roosters.com.au. 22 June 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  16. Web site: Rabbitohs Sign Four Up-And-Coming Players. Rabbitohs.com.au. 25 August 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  17. Web site: Souths sign Kelly, re-sign Gosiewski. Nrl.com. 18 October 2016 . 9 October 2017.
  18. Web site: NRL: Ben Hannant re-signs, Penrith utility Will Smith to Eels, Waqa Blake eyes new deal — Market Watch. 25 October 2016. Fox Sports. 9 October 2017.
  19. Web site: Danny Wicks announces retirement . Zero Tackle . 2016-11-08 . 2017-03-28.
  20. Web site: Club Statement on Vai Toutai. Parraeels.com.au. January 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  21. Web site: Eels release James Hasson. Parraeels.com.au. 18 May 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  22. Web site: Eels release Jamal Fogarty. Parraeels.com.au. 13 June 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  23. Web site: Twal released from Eels. Parraeels.com.au. 20 June 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  24. Web site: Eels release Faraimo and Tanginoa. Parraeels.com.au. 3 July 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  25. Web site: NRL - The official site of the National Rugby League - NRL.com . Rugbyleagueweek.com.au . 2016-12-18 . 2017-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025318/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/2017-auckland-nines-day-one-results/ . 2017-03-02 . dead .
  26. Web site: NRL - The official site of the National Rugby League - NRL.com . Rugbyleagueweek.com.au . 2016-12-18 . 2017-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025802/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/2017-auckland-nines-day-two-results/ . 2017-03-02 . dead .
  27. Web site: Eels fall to Titans late in Alice Springs - Eels . Parraeels.com.au . 2016-11-16 . 2017-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170228172044/http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2017/02/11/eels_fall_to_titans_.af_news.html . 2017-02-28 . dead .
  28. Web site: Eels go down to Panthers in trial - Eels . Parraeels.com.au . 2017-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170303002614/http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2017/02/18/eels_go_down_to_pant.af_news.html . 2017-03-03 . dead .
  29. News: Webeck. Tony. Injury-ravaged Titans outlast Eels. 21 October 2017. NRL.com.au. 17 March 2017.
  30. Web site: NRL: Titans v Eels. Austadiums. 22 October 2017.
  31. Web site: NRL 2017 - Parramatta Eels . Rugby League Project . 2017-03-28.
  32. Web site: Four Eels selected in Pacific Test triple header. Parraeels.com.au. May 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  33. Web site: Pritchard and Matagi named for Samoa World Cup Squad. Parraeels.com.au. 6 October 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  34. Web site: Tonga confirm World Cup Squad. Parraeels.com.au. 5 October 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  35. Web site: New Zealand confirm World Cup Squad. Parraeels.com.au. 4 October 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  36. Web site: Italy confirm World Cup Squad. Parraeels.com.au. 4 October 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  37. Web site: Hayne among NRL stars in Fiji squad. Nrl.com. 7 October 2017 . 9 October 2017.
  38. Web site: LEBANON ANNOUNCE SQUAD FOR RLWC2017. Lebanese Rugby League Federation . 8 November 2017. 12 October 2017.