End of Season Reviews: Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans

09/17/2024 02:33 AM

As the 2024 NRL season nears its conclusion, it's time to look back on the teams that fell short of September and what they got right and wrong in their respective seasons.

In this edition, SEN will take a look at the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans, two sides that had tumultuous seasons both on and off the field.

Parramatta Eels

Ladder: 15th
Record: 7-17 (-155)

The 2022 NRL Grand Finalists continued their downward trajectory this season, with the club being plagued by on and off-field issues. Parramatta started off decently in 2024, winning three of their first six games but hit a massive slump in the mid-stage of the season, going six weeks without a win, in a period that all but killed their finals hopes.

The writing was on the wall for coach Brad Arthur, who was eventually sacked as the club desperately chased Wayne Bennett. Jason Ryles was announced as his successor shortly after and he quickly got to work as the current crop of players desperately tried to secure their future at the club. 2024 was one of the worst seasons in recent years for the proud club and it might not get much better for the Blue and Gold.

Highlight: Winning the Spoonbowl

After flirting with bottom spot for the majority of the year, it all came down to one game to determine who would finish last in season 2024. Parramatta took on the Wests Tigers away from home and blew their opponents off the park with a stellar second half showing. With nothing more than pride on the line for both sides, many fans were rightfully left wondering why the Eels couldn't put on a similar performance in the previous 26 rounds of the season when the games mattered a lot more.

Lowlight: Going six weeks without beating a team

As previously mentioned, after beating the Cowboys in Round Six the Eels firmly remained in contention for a finals spot but proceeded to capitulate over the next six weeks. Although the losses could've been expected, the manner in which they were being beaten had many worried. The Eels lost their next five games and conceded an average of 39 points per game, eventually going on to lose ten of the final 14 games.

Honourable Mention: The Brad Arthur/Wayne Bennett saga

Best Player: Clint Gutherson

Although Clint Gutherson copped a lot of criticism for his actions towards referees this year, there was no denying the consistent effort that the Eels' skipper showed in 2024. Gutherson was a shining light in a side that was more often than not trailing in games or blown out in the early stages. Despite this, Gutherson's efforts could never be faulted and he was rightfully the winner of the Coaches, Players and Members Player of the Year at the Eels' end-of-year awards night.

Honourable Mention: Reagan Campbell-Gillard

What they need for 2025: A balanced roster

Despite coming close to finishing last, the Parramatta Eels still boast a handful of representative players across their squad and should feel good about the star power in key positions. However, the top-end talent is taking up far too much of the salary cap, resulting in a noticeable lack of depth in the starting backline and bench forwards. Jason Ryles looks keen to clean out some of the dead wood, which should help but the Eels need a pretty significant roster shakeup if they are to consider a finals run in 2025.

Early 2025 prediction: 12th

Although the club seems to be moving in the right direction, 2025 seems a year too early for the Eels to truly jump back into contention for finals.

Grade: F

For a club with such a great history and passionate fans, the 2024 season was nothing short of a failure for the Eels.

Gold Coast Titans

Ladder: 14th
Record: 8-16 (-168)

There were plenty of reasons to be hopeful for a strong season from the Gold Coast Titans in 2024, with a rejuvenated yet youthful roster being led by the mad scientist Des Hasler. The Titans season was almost over before it had a chance to get going when captain Tino Fa'asumaleaui suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Round Two. Gold Coast continued to struggle and didn't get their first win until Round Seven against the Warriors but the remainder of the season didn't get much prettier. The Titans finished the season winning just one of their last six games but managed to sneak two wins in over their two closest rivals.

Highlight: Beating The Dolphins and Broncos in back-to-back weeks In a season where the Titans only won consecutive games on two occasions, Des Hasler's men left their best showing for late in the season with back-to-back wins over local rivals the Dolphins and Broncos. Although the victory over the Dolphins was marred by an obstruction ruling from the Bunker, the win over the Broncos was one of the biggest results in the club's history. With the struggling Broncos needing a win to stay alive in the race for finals, the Titans put on an incredible attacking display and handed their big brother a 46-18 loss to all but end their 2024 season

Honourable Mention: 66-6 win over the Warriors.

Lowlight: The David Fifita saga

With the Titans enduring one of the worst starts to a season in the club's history, star forward David Fifita not only activated an option in his contract allowing him to test the market but would eventually sign for the Roosters. Although Fifita sensationally backflipped on the deal and re-committed to the club, the situation shed light on the club's inner workings and gave management a much-needed wake-up call for future negotiations with its stars.

Honourable Mention: Duck egg against the Sharks

Best Player: Keano Kini

20-year-old Keano Kini came into the 2024 season under a lot of pressure to make the No.1 jersey his own and within a matter of games he made sure there was no doubt about the club's future at fullback. Despite his lack of size and experience, Kini became a breakout star in 2024 and has given the fans plenty of reasons to be hopeful for the next couple of years.

Honourable Mention: Beau Fermor

What they need for 2024: A better start to the season

It was very clear by Round Six of this season that the Titans weren't going to be in contention for the finals and that view didn't differ throughout the remainder of the year. Although a lot of this can be attributed to growing pains under Des Hasler, the Titans need a much better start to ensure they're chasing their own tail when the season begins to get tough.

Early 2025 prediction: 10th

Although it won't be the result that the club is after, finals footy still feels like a stretch for the young Titans but it should be a much improved showing in 2025.

Grade: D

Injuries and a new coach are the only thing saving the 2024 season from being a complete failure for the Titans.