Parramatta have handed Wests Tigers their third straight wooden spoon, dishing out a 60-26 drubbing in the loser-take-all clash at a sold-out Campbelltown.
After their own wretched year that resulted in Brad Arthur’s axing as coach, the Eels were at least able to avoid the 15th wooden spoon in their history and seal 16th spot.
For the Tigers, there was no such relief.
Despite every step the club appeared to take forward in 2024, the joint venture has still ended it as only the second side of the NRL-era to claim three straight spoons.
And while there is genuine reason for hope at Concord next year with Jarome Luai’s impending arrival, Friday night was proof the club’s turnaround is still in its infancy.
Friday night’s flogging officially made this the worst defensive season in the club’s history, with the TIgers leaking an average of 31.25 points per game.
After they led 10-6 early through some Lachlan Galvin magic, the Tigers’ floodgates opened and it became evident they had no idea how to stem the tide.
Tries came in just about every way imaginable for the Eels, with Maika Sivo barging over for two on the left wing and Will Penisini and Clint Gutherson also bagging doubles.
Three tries came while Apisai Koroisau was off the field for a dangerous throw on Gutherson, while Parramatta scored six in total in the second half.
One came via a Bryce Cartwright intercept, and two more through kicks.
Even prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was able to score one after an errant Tigers pass coming out of their own end.
But perhaps the most embarrassing try for Benji Marshall’s side came when Alex Seyfarth picked up the ball five metres out from his own line, was dragged backwards before getting a pass away – to Eels rival Gutherson.
Dylan Brown was also impressive for Parramatta, setting up a try for Brendan Hands and launching a towering bomb in the lead up to another.
But the Eels half left the field in the second half with a knee injury, in a blow that could have major implications for New Zealand’s Pacific Championships campaign.
Several decisions must be made by incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles in the coming months, with 18 Parramatta players off contract at the end of next year.
Campbell-Gillard appears to be certain to be exiting well before then. Given a farewell conversion kick on Friday night, he is expected to move to St George Illawarra.
For the Tigers one positive remains Galvin, who is easily the find of the season at five-eighth and set up tries with a grubber kick and bullet cut-out ball.
He will partner Luai in the halves next season, with Penrith winger Sunia Turuva among others joining the club.
But attack is not the main issue for the Tigers, who scored three consolation tries late on Friday night. Defence clearly is.
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