Parramatta Eels’ 2020 defence ranks among best in the NRL era
Parramatta have tried and failed for 34 years to win their fifth first grade premiership, which is why the 2020 Eels are doing what no other blue and gold side has done before them to stop the rot.
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Parramatta have become the stingiest defensive team in the NRL in yet another indicator their 34-year title drought could be coming to an end.
According to Fox Sports Lab, the Eels have conceded just 96 points in nine matches, the fourth-lowest total of any team in the NRL era.
They old adage that defence wins premierships could ring true again. Two of the three teams above them on the list — the 2010 Dragons and the 2013 Roosters — went on to win the title.
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That defensive resolve won the Eels the day against Newcastle on Sunday, and the 10-4 win marked the sixth time this year Parramatta have conceded 10 points or fewer in a match.
“We just turn up for each other, we’ve got a really tight squad at the moment,” Eels skipper Clint Gutherson said.
“The players we bring in are there to do a job and they know they’ve got to do their job or they’re letting the team down.
“We’re going to look back at this six, seven, eight rounds time and it doesn’t matter how you win it, it’s about the two points.”
What makes Parramatta’s defensive strength all the more impressive is the changes in personnel the Eels have undergone in recent weeks.
Mitchell Moses has been missing with a calf injury, Nathan Brown has only recently returned from suspension, Ray Stone is out with a broken hand and Peni Terepo and Kane Evans have also missed time.
But amid all those changes, the blue and gold wall has held fast. Coach Brad Arthur made defence a priority in the pre-season and the Eels are reaping the rewards no matter who they put on the field.
Stand-in halfback Jai Field, who weighs in at 85kg wringing wet, was superb defensively against Newcastle under heavy pressure from Knights backrower Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Brown continued his excellent form this year, playing the full 80 minutes in his comeback match.
“Browny comes back off two weeks and he’s straight into his job, we’re not going out there and asking him to do crazy stuff, he’s got to go out there and stick to the plan,” Gutherson said.
“I think that’s just the culture we’ve got at the moment, where whoever comes in like Jai (Field) or Stefano (Utoikamanu) — I know he only got a minute, but if he was required he was going to come in and do a job.”
Parramatta must now saddle up for another grudge match with Manly, which is sure to have a little extra spice after the Sea Eagles were denied a matchwinning try due to a controversial forward-pass call in the dying stages of the Eels’ 19-16 win in Round 4.
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Despite Manly’s injury troubles, Gutherson said the Eels’ earlier scare against the Sea Eagles meant they wouldn’t dare take them lightly when they travelled to Brookvale on Saturday night.
“We should have put that game away much earlier than we did,” he said.
“We’re going to Brookie and they’re always good at Brookie.”
“Des (Hasler) puts belief in his players and whoever goes out there is going to do a job.”
Originally published as Parramatta Eels’ 2020 defence ranks among best in the NRL era