2012 Parramatta Eels season

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. The Eels finished the regular season in last place for the first time since 1972, also failing to make the finals for the 3rd consecutive year.

2012 Parramatta Eels season
NRL Rank16th
Play-off resultDNQ
2012 recordWins: 6; Draws: 0; Losses: 18
Points scoredFor: 431; Against: 674
Team information
CoachStephen Kearney (Rd 1-20), Brad Arthur (Rd 21-26)
Captain
StadiumParramatta Stadium
High. Attend.45,863
(vs. St George-Illawarra Dragons, Rd 26)
Top scorers
TriesKen Sio (13)
GoalsLuke Burt (51)
PointsLuke Burt (126)
< 2011 2013 >

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. The Eels 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 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 3 wins from 4 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 (8 tries, 14 try-assists), Hayne only managed to complete 10 games from the season’s 24, due to both injury and State of Origin duty.

Throughout the season many of the Eels 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]

Fixtures

Trial matches

DateOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
11 February Wests TigersBluetongue Stadium, GosfordLoss2012E. Tonga, ToutaiBurt 2
17 February Penrith PanthersCentrebet Stadium, PenrithLoss2612Sio, SandowBurt 218,511

Regular season

The 2012 Telstra Premiership season draw for Parramatta is as follows[3][4]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
2 MarchRound 1 Brisbane BroncosParramatta Stadium, ParramattaLoss618SandowBurt 1/111,339 [5][6]
12 MarchRound 2 New Zealand WarriorsParramatta Stadium, ParramattaLoss2036Sio, Blair, Sandow (2)Sandow 2/412,102 [5][7]
18 MarchRound 3 North Queensland CowboysDairy Farmers Stadium, TownsvilleLoss426O'HanlonSandow 1/18,239 [5][8]
23 MarchRound 4 Penrith PanthersParramatta Stadium, ParramattaLoss639MaituaSandow 1/113,788 [5][9]
31 MarchRound 5 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesParramatta Stadium, ParramattaWin2920Hayne (2), Keating, SioSandow 6/6 & FG: 1/113,518[10][11]
8 AprilRound 6 Newcastle KnightsHunter Stadium, NewcastleLoss146T. MannahSandow 1/124,158[12]
15 AprilRound 7 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksToyota Stadium, WooloowareLoss2418Hayne (2), BlairSandow 3/314,327 [13][14]
29 AprilRound 8 Wests TigersParramatta Stadium, ParramattaLoss3031Blair, Hayne, Ryan, Sio, W. TongaBurt 5/519,654 [15][16]
4 MayRound 9 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic ParkLoss1246Morgan, SioBurt 2/228,214 [17][18]
13 MayRound 10 Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium, CanberraLoss4034Morgan (2), Sio (2), Blair, SandowBurt 5/69,210 [19][20]
18-21 MayRound 11Bye
26 MayRound 12 St. George Illawarra DragonsWIN Jubilee Oval, KogarahLoss1412McGuire, RyanBurt 2/212,756 [21][22]
4 JuneRound 13 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksParramatta Stadium, ParramattaWin2920Burt (2), Hayne (2), MorganBurt 4/5; Sandow FG: 1/110,009 [23][24]
8-11 JuneRound 14Bye
16 JuneRound 15 South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic ParkLoss624MaituaBurt 1/114,212 [25][26]
23 JuneRound 16 Penrith PanthersCentrebet Stadium, Penrith [27]Win1918Burt, Hayne, MorganBurt 3/3; Sandow FG: 1/115,275 [28][29]
30 JuneRound 17 Newcastle KnightsParramatta Stadium, ParramattaLoss1220M. Keating, SioBurt 2/212,022
8 JulyRound 18 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval, Brookvale [30]Loss4024Sio (2), Burt, MullaneyBurt 4/416,065
13 JulyRound 19 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park [31]Loss1232Morgan, SioBurt 2/231,102
21 JulyRound 20 Melbourne StormParramatta Stadium, ParramattaWin1610Hindmarsh, Sio, B. SmithBurt 2/39,029
30 JulyRound 21 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane [32]Win2242Sandow (2), Burt, Moimoi, Poore, Sio, N. SmithBurt 7/722,626
6 AugustRound 22 Wests TigersCampbelltown Sports Stadium, CampbelltownLoss5126Mullaney (2), Roberts, Sio, TautaiBurt 3/514,822
11 AugustRound 23 Sydney RoostersParramatta Stadium, ParramattaWin3622Morgan (2), Sandow (2), Blair, HindmarshBurt 6/712,193
19 AugustRound 24 Gold Coast TitansSkilled Park, Gold CoastLoss2416Burt, Lasalo, SandowBurt 2/314,159
26 AugustRound 25 South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park [33]Loss638BurtBurt 1/124,121
2 SeptemberRound 26 St. George Illawarra DragonsANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic ParkLoss829MorganBurt 1/1, Hindmarsh 1/145,863

Ladder

National Rugby League

2012 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2418062568369+19940
2 Melbourne Storm (P) 2417072579361+21838
3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2416082559438+12136
4 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2416082497403+9436
5 North Queensland Cowboys 2415092597445+15234
6 Canberra Raiders 24130112545536+930
7 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24121112445441+429
8 Brisbane Broncos 24120122481447+3428
9 St. George Illawarra Dragons 24110132405438-3326
10 Wests Tigers 24110132506551-4526
11 Gold Coast Titans 24100142449477-2824
12 Newcastle Knights 24100142448488-4024
13 Sydney Roosters 2481152462626-16421
14 New Zealand Warriors 2480162497609-11220
15 Penrith Panthers 2480162409575-16620
16 Parramatta Eels 2460182431674-24316

National Youth Competition

Pos Team P W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Newcastle Knights4301013456+786
2 Wests Tigers4301014470+746
3 Cronulla Sharks4301013888+506
4 New Zealand Warriors4301011478+366
5 Melbourne Storm4301010582+236
6 Penrith Panthers4301010582+236
7 Sydney Roosters42020116104+124
8 Canterbury Bulldogs420209291+14
9 South Sydney Rabbitohs42020122128-64
10 Parramatta Eels42020102112-104
11 Brisbane Broncos4202096114-184
12 Canberra Raiders4202090108-184
13 North Queensland Cowboys4103088114-262
14 St. George Illawarra Dragons4103072128-562
15 Gold Coast Titans4004082131-490
16 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles4004072184-1120

Squad

Parramatta Eels
NRL Premiership Squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • Injured

Updated: 27 March 2012
Source(s): Player profiles, [34] Coaching staff, [35]
Injury update, [36] Rugby League Project [5]

Transfers

In:

Nat. Pos. Name From
SOBen Roberts Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
HKNathan Smith Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
PRTaulima Tautai Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
PRJon Mannah Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
CEEsikeli Tonga Gold Coast Titans
CEWillie Tonga North Queensland Cowboys
LFJoseph Paulo Penrith Panthers
SRDaniel Penese St George Illawarra Dragons
SHChris Sandow South Sydney Rabbitohs
WGCheyse Blair Sydney Roosters
FBJake Mullaney Wests Tigers

Out

Nat. Pos. Name To
PRManase Manuokafoa Bradford Bulls
SHJeff Robson Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
SODaniel Mortimer Sydney Roosters
WGDaniel Tupou Sydney Roosters
WGEtu Uaisele Penrith Panthers
CEJoel Reddy Wests Tigers
FBTom Humble Wests Tigers
PRPele Peletelese Burleigh Bears

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.[37]

Player statistics

Player statistics as of 26 August 2012.[5]

NameAppTGFGPts
Mitchell Allgood170000
Cheyse Blair2050020
Luke Burt186510126
Jarryd Hayne1280032
Nathan Hindmarsh212008
Justin Horo40000
Matthew Keating152008
Luke Kelly40000
Taniela Lasalo101004
Casey McGuire111000
Reni Maitua192008
Tim Mannah221004
Fuifui Moimoi211004
Ryan Morgan1780032
Jake Mullaney530012
Pat O'Hanlon21004
Joseph Paulo210000
Justin Poore211004
Ben Roberts171004
Matt Ryan172008
Chris Sandow21914367
Ken Sio22130052
Ben Smith81004
Nathan Smith71004
Taulima Tautai91004
Esikeli Tonga30000
Willie Tonga121004

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.[38]

References

  1. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sterling-slams-overweight-sandow/story-e6frexnr-1226322603592
  2. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/ricky-stuart-to-coach-parramatta-eels-for-next-three-seasons/story-e6frfgbo-1226435192460
  3. "2012 Telstra Premiership Draw". NRL.com. Telstra BigPond. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  4. "Draw / Results". Parramatta Eels. Telstra BigPond. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  5. "NRL 2012 - Parramatta Eels". The Rugby League Project. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  6. "NRL Game Report: Eels vs Broncos". League Central: The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  7. "NRL Game Report: Eels vs Warriors". League Central: The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  8. "NRL Game Report: Cowboys vs Eels". League Central: The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  9. "NRL Game Report: Eels vs Panthers". League Central: The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  10. "NRL 2012 - Round 5 (PAR-MAN)". Rugby League Project. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  11. "NRL Match Centre". Fox Sports. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  12. "NRL 2012 - Round 6 (NEW-PAR)". Rugby League Project. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  13. "NRL 2012 - Round 7 (CRO-PAR)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  14. "NRL Match Centre: Cronulla v Parramatta, Full Time 24-18". Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  15. "NRL 2012 - Round 8 (PAR-WTI)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  16. "NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v Wests Tigers, Full Time 30-31". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  17. "NRL 2012 - Round 9 (PAR-CTB)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  18. "NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v Canterbury-Bankstown, Full Time 12-46". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  19. "NRL 2012 - Round 10 (CNB-PAR)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  20. "NRL Match Centre: Canberra v Parramatta, Full Time 40-34". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  21. "NRL 2012 - Round 12 (STI-PAR)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  22. "NRL Match Centre: St George Illawarra v Parramatta, Full Time 14-12". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  23. "NRL 2012 - Round 13 (PAR-CRO)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  24. "NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v Cronulla, Full Time 29-20". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  25. "NRL 2012 - Round 15 (PAR-SOU)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  26. "NRL Match Centre: Parramatta v South Sydney, Full Time 6-24". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  27. 2012 NRL season results: Round 16
  28. "NRL 2012 - Round 16 (PEN-PAR)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  29. "NRL Match Centre: Penrith v Parramatta, Full Time 18-19". The Sydney Morning Herald: League HQ. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  30. 2012 NRL season results: Round 18
  31. 2012 NRL season results: Round 19
  32. 2012 NRL season results: Round 21
  33. 2012 NRL season results: Round 25
  34. "NRL Squad". Parramatta Eels. Telstra BigPond. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  35. "NRL Coaching Staff". Parramatta Eels. Telstra BigPond. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  36. "NRL Injury Update". Parramatta Eels. Telstra BigPond. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  37. Massoud, Josh (4 October 2011). "William Hopoate to sign with Parramatta Eels". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  38. "Sponsor Directory". Parramatta Eels. Telstra BigPond. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.

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